President Biden Advocates for Trucking Industry Growth
WASHINGTON — On Monday, President Joe Biden emphasized the progress made in the trucking industry since he assumed office. He stated that his administration aims to eliminate barriers in the sector to enhance U.S. supply chains.
Record Job Growth in Trucking
Biden announced that last year marked the highest level of job growth in the trucking sector since 1994, with growth continuing into early 2022 after the administration’s initiative to increase trucking employment was introduced in December. He noted that the U.S. experienced its best three-month period for long-haul trucking hiring since the 1990s at the start of this year.
Building a Stronger Economy
“We’ve got to keep it going; we’re building a better economy centered around American manufacturing and supply chains,” Biden remarked while standing next to semitrucks during a White House event. He further underscored the industry’s vital role, stating, “Without you, everything comes to a halt — think about it. I’m not joking.”
Streamlining Driver License Issuance
Biden stated that his administration will continue to expedite the process of issuing commercial driver’s licenses necessary for truck operations. According to the White House, since January 2021, states have issued over 876,000 of these licenses, raising trucking employment to exceed pre-pandemic levels by 35,000 jobs.
Promoting Diversity in Trucking
The administration has prioritized hiring more military veterans and women in the male-dominated trucking industry. As part of this initiative, partnerships have been formed with major veterans’ organizations to aid in the recruitment and retention of veterans and military family members in trucking.
Addressing Industry Challenges
The White House highlighted that trucking is responsible for moving 72 percent of goods in the U.S., serving as a crucial component of the supply chain. It noted that trucking costs surged by over 20 percent last year due to increased demand for goods during the pandemic, which coincided with a decline in pre-pandemic trucking employment. This driver shortage results from high turnover rates and poor job quality.
Enhancing Job Quality and Retention
To improve job retention and reduce turnover in the trucking industry, the administration has nearly doubled the number of apprenticeship programs through 100 employers and seven trade associations. They have also conducted multiple listening sessions with truck drivers, advocates, and unions to gather insights on how to make trucking jobs more attractive and of higher quality.
Biden has linked the significant inflation rates experienced over the past year to pandemic-related disruptions in supply chains, particularly worker shortages in trucking. In December, he announced a Trucking Action Plan aimed at encouraging more individuals to join the industry, which has long faced challenges in hiring and retaining workers. This plan is a collaborative effort involving the Department of Transportation and the Department of Labor, rooted in infrastructure legislation signed into law by Biden last year.
