Strong increase in truck driving and auto industry jobs forecasted

Strong increase in truck driving and auto industry jobs forecasted

The high U.S. unemployment rate may be reduced by up to 400,000 truck driving jobs and a shortage of workers within the U.S. auto industry. The U.S. auto industry and also the U.S. trucking industry hemorrhaged jobs during the recession. But as the economy slowly recovers, truck driving jobs and auto industry jobs are returning. In certain markets trucking companies are already short of drivers. A labor shortage is forecast for the U.S. auto industry as well.

Source for this article: Truck driving jobs and auto industry jobs to surge in near future By Personal Money Store

truck driving jobs on the rise

Overall the U.S. trucking industry lost almost 150,000 truck driving jobs since the start of 2008. Nevertheless, by the end of this year nearly 200,000 new truck driving jobs will be created. And a report authored by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals predicts that an additional 200,000 will need to be filled next year. CNNMoney.com reports that retirements, tougher safety regulations, getting bad drivers off the road and rehiring drivers laid off during the recession are some of the factors creating more truck driving jobs.

New auto industry jobs demand new skills

The U.S. auto industry shed 228,000 jobs within the past two years. The Center for Automotive Research sees job numbers trending upward as the industry recovers toward about 15,000 in 2010 and another 100,000 new auto industry jobs each year through 2013. USA Today reports that the underperforming union workers who lost their jobs as the U.S. auto industry imploded won’t be coming back. The changing nature of the factory floor demands a different set of skills for auto industry jobs, including computer literacy and the ability to work more independently than within the past. A high school diploma will no longer be enough to qualify.

More truck driving jobs than drivers

Even with a U.S. unemployment rate reported at 9.7 percent, numerous truck driving jobs may not be filled, said Rosalyn Wilson, author of the report featured on CNNMoney.com. It's not an attractive profession for individuals who want to be home with their family at the end of the work day. Truck driver salaries were at a $ 37, 730 median as of May 2009. Truck drivers, paid by the mile, are expected to make more because of increasing miles and a shortage of drivers.

Citations

CNNMoney.com

usatoday.com