Let’s Make 2024 the Start of a New Trucking Industry-Skilled Labour

Jan 24, 2024

Let’s Make 2024 the Start of a New Trucking Industry-Skilled Labour

Trucking crashes are up 71% and it has to change! As we roll into 2024 the trucking industry has a lot of issues facing it. Morale is at it’s lowest mark, we have even more regulations but without enforcement they will never do what they were meant to do and keep bad operators off the street. In fact enforcement of all kinds has to be improved to change the models of business being executed on the street level with Driver Inc and carrier operations. Now this sounds like a lot and it is, we have many problems! When veteran drivers and carriers alike are asking for more enforcement for their own safety then we have a problem. 

On the upside we also have solutions and experience on what it takes to make the industry better. All of those issues noted above can all be fixed through enforcement, training, and education. One area will tie this altogether and that’s the skilled trades. A system needs to implemented and verified so that a new driver can enter into training in the industry, build their skills and be rewarded for that work with certifications and pay that is appropriate. Once they reach certain levels with in that program they can then move onto further growth opportunities such as owning a truck or even a company. 

Currently a driver can get a licence, go to the local dealer and buy a truck. He will then work for the first carrier that will take them without a thought about safety, maintenance, or operations. In the case of the Driver Inc model they don’t even buy a truck, they just incorporate themselves and operate illegally. 

In the Skilled Trades Model the skills of inspection and maintenance would be required to become an owner operator. A business course would be an additional benefit to a program. Complete Finishing Programs and more will go along way to building the type of drivers we need on the roads today. 

You may be asking why we didn’t need these programs in the past? In the past the trucking industry was made up of farm kids and others that had learned off a family member in the business or worked farm machinery at a very young age. Kids were driving trucks and tractors on the farm at the age of 12. Those like myself learned through stepping stones on the job like lumping furniture, then getting a straight truck licence, and then tractor trailer, and then owner operator. As I stepped through those zones I found mentors along the way that helped train and shape the driver I became. 

As we have many people filling the seats through immigration and other types of programs we need to have a formal way for them to become the professional drivers we need on the road. People immigrating from outside of North America need to understand the trucking industry here even if they have prior driving experience. Just because you can drive doesn’t make you a professional driver. 

I believe we have all the parts to put a program like this in place. We have enough experienced drivers that could be utilized in the training and finishing parts of the program and we have associations that can help create a roadmap for the program. Right now I see each association trying to do their own thing. We somehow need to get everyone working together to create a system that will work. Let’s make 2024 the time for change! 

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The Lead Pedal Podcast for Truck Drivers talks all things trucking for people in the transportation industry helping them improve their business and careers. Interviews with industry professionals and truck drivers, trucking information, and other features on the industry are meant to be helpful for truck drivers and those in transportation. The Lead Pedal Podcast for Truck Drivers has main episodes released every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with bonus material on other days. You can learn more about the host and show on our website and make sure to SUBSCRIBE to the show on your favourite podcast platform. www.theleadpedalpodcast.com 

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