CDL Driver Recruiting in the Driver Shortage Age
If you’re in the transportation industry, you’ve probably already heard the phrase “truck driver shortage” so often you’re sick of it. Ask what’s actually causing this issue, however, and you’ll get as many different answers as there are people. So, what’s really causing the driver shortage, and how can you update your CDL driver recruiting strategies to reflect the current market?
Ask any trucker what the worst part of being a professional driver is, and they’ll almost universally cite the brutal hours. With so much time spent on the road and away from family and loved ones, it’s difficult for truckers to keep up this grueling pace. This can negatively affect driver’s health, relationships, and even mental wellbeing.
- What can you do about it? A simple way to attract drivers during this driver shortage is to evaluate your home time policies. Increasing time spent at home, instead of over the road, will make your company more attractive to prospective hires.
While driver pay has been rising over the last few years, drivers still list pay as a top concern and reason for leaving the industry. Many former drivers cite low pay or lack of benefits as a reason for bidding farewell to their career over the road.
- What can you do about it? Evaluate your current driver pay. If it’s been a while since you’ve raised those numbers, make sure your pay is still consistent with industry rates. Many carriers also find offering bonuses or guaranteed pay are great ways to stay competitive in the current market.
Another major contributor to the driver shortage is an aging workforce. The average age of a driver is 55. With an average retirement age of 62, that means today’s truckers are leaving the workforce in droves, and it’s only expected to get worse. Millennials, on the other hand, are less eager to join the trucking industry than past generations. This means there’s no younger demographic of truckers coming in to replace these retiring drivers.
- What can you do about it?
Ask yourself, are you updating your driver recruiting strategies to target today’s workforce – or coasting on recruitment techniques that have worked well in the past? Take stock of your current social media presence and make sure you’re keeping fans engaged. Additionally, it’s vital to understand who your potential hires are and how to reach them. Access to lead and hiring data from a comprehensive database, such as LeadLink, is a great way to learn who you should be targeting, and what type of messaging resonates with your audience. To learn more about LeadLink, ask your Account Executive.
