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February 13, 2019
Prepare to Become a Professional Truck Driver at ATI in just 8 Weeks
It’s being called a perfect storm… the economy’s heating up and e-commerce is booming, increasing the need for more truck drivers, all at a time when scores of baby boomers are retiring from their trucking jobs. What was once a truck driver shortage is now a full-blown crisis.
From nearly all accounts, there’s only one way to attract new truck drivers – increase pay. That’s what Joyce Brenny is doing. She’s chief executive of Brenny Transportation in Minnesota. According to a report in the Washington Post, she’s had to raise driver pay by 15 percent this year, and she still cannot find enough people for a job that now pays $80,000 a year.
Of course, those increased costs are passed along which means consumer prices are on the rise. Citing data from DAT Solutions, that same Washington Post article states that it now costs more than $1.85 a mile to ship a “dry good” that doesn’t require refrigeration or special accommodation, a nearly 40 percent increase from the price a year ago.
“It’s as bad as it’s ever been” to find drivers, said American Trucking Association Chief Economist Bob Costello. “Companies are doing everything they can to make drivers happy: increasing pay and getting them home more often, but that means they aren’t driving as many miles.”
According to a report published in Transport Topics, there’s a shortage of 51,000 truck drivers nationwide, up from 20,000 in 2013 and 36,500 in 2016. The trucking trade federation projects the driver gap will increase to nearly 100,000 by 2021.
While this may be a crisis for trucking companies and their clients, it could represent a tremendous opportunity for anyone looking for a new career. Aside from rising salaries, there are many good reasons to consider becoming a professional truck driver, including:
- Job Security – Opportunities are plentiful and employers are going to great lengths to retain employees.
- Freedom – On the road, you are your own boss.
- Variety – See the country, from north to south and east to west.
And one more thing – if you want to learn how to drive the big rigs, it takes very little time, and there’s no better place to do it than Advanced Technology Institute (ATI). Attending class four or five days a week, ATI’s program can prepare you to become a commercial truck driver in just eight weeks. At ATI, you can find:
- High-Quality Instruction
- Small Classes
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Career Assistance, Connection with Thousands of Employers
Our classroom module can prepare you for the written portion of the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) examination, which covers driving safety, substance abuse, transportation of hazardous materials, trip planning, vehicle maintenance, and operational procedures. Out on the road, we cover key skills such as backing, parking, and shifting tractor-trailer vehicles.
ATI is a leader in commercial driving education. So, if you’ve ever considered a career as a commercial truck driver, now is the time to get started. To learn more, connect with ATI today. One of our admissions advisors will be happy to help you get started.
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