Doug Odegaard: A Passion for Truck Driving and Safety
Doug Odegaard has always envisioned himself as a truck driver. With 37 years of driving experience, he has operated nearly every type of vehicle, including long-haul trucks, mixers, logging trucks, and chip trucks. Following a personal accident, Odegaard has become an advocate for road safety. He is now a certified commercial truck driver instructor, emphasizing safe practices in all of his classes.
“Safety is the top priority,” he remarked. “Trucking technology has evolved significantly and is far more advanced than it was just ten years ago. Features like cameras, antilock braking systems, and lane departure warnings have been developed to ensure the safety of truck drivers and everyone around them.”
Odegaard is certified to teach across all 50 states and serves as an instructor in North Idaho College’s commercial driver’s license (CDL) program hosted at the Workforce Training Center. “At North Idaho College, the possibilities are endless,” he explained. “We can train for Class A or B licenses and prepare individuals for either long-haul or local driving—virtually anything you desire.”
NIC also offers a Class A refresher course for those who possess a Class A license but have been off the road and want to update their skills. Due to a labor shortage in the trucking industry, Odegaard believes that now is an excellent time to explore a career in driving. The American Trucking Association reports about 148,000 current driver vacancies, with an estimated 890,000 total openings expected by 2025.
“There’s a significant driver shortage,” Odegaard stated. “Currently, we’re only at 60 percent of the required workforce. If this trend continues, you might find that a loaf of bread costs 12 dollars because there’s only one shipment that week.”
He suggested that the shortage may stem from outdated perceptions of truck drivers. “People don’t often consider truck driving as a profession,” he noted. “They tend to think of sensationalized portrayals in shows like ‘Ice Road Truckers,’ which are far from reality. The pay has increased significantly, and the equipment is exceptionally well-maintained.”
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median hourly wage for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers is $19.36. Odegaard believes that self-motivated individuals are best suited for a career in truck driving. Many companies are now more accommodating to drivers who wish to spend time with their families, but he emphasizes that truck driving is still a commitment to spending time on the road. “It’s a lifestyle, not just a job,” he said. Odegaard takes great pride in exceeding expectations with his students to ensure they are thoroughly prepared to work safely and efficiently.
For additional information about the classes offered through the NIC Workforce Training Center, please contact (208) 769-3333 or visit www.nic.edu/wtc.
