OTTUMWA, Iowa — An aging workforce and the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic are contributing to the trucking industry’s current labor challenges.
Indian Hills Community College and U.S. Representative Zach Nunn (R-IA-03) are collaborating to encourage students to explore alternatives, like truck driving, to a four-year degree.
On Monday, Rep. Nunn announced $1 million in federal funding allocated to constructing a new Commercial Driving Skills Pad for the college.
“This key investment boosts the workforce across Iowa and supports our economy,” said Nunn. “And it’s exactly the type of investment that I feel very strongly taxpayers want to see happen directly in their community, ones that complement what’s already happening in the public and private sector.”
Nunn says there is a shortage of over 80,000 truck drivers, which has consequences for the supply chain.
Complications with the supply chain have a ripple effect on Americans’ wallets, as prices hike with an increase in demand.
IHCC President Matt Thompson says that the college’s commercial driver’s license program takes just six weeks to complete.
“Leveraging that into a 70,000 to $ 100,000-a-year job within six weeks, that truly is a life-changing opportunity and so, again, I just want to say thank you very much for the hard work that was put into making this happen. Making that dream a reality for us,” said Thompson.
Thompson and Nunn say that truck drivers entering the workforce can expect to be in it for the long haul.
Thompson told KTVO, “I know that as we’re working with individuals to be safe, quality drivers, that that can’t be computerized entirely. So, we see this as a continued need for years and years to come, and only growing as we see more, you know, order online and have it shipped to you daily, some of the things that I experience in my household, there’s going to be more need, not less.”
Rep. Nunn added, “And I would just emphasize on this, look, these are made in American jobs. They’re going to stay here in America. This is a job that China can’t take. The reality is, whether you’re a dental hygienist, you need to be there with the patient. Whether you’re a truck driver, you’re going to be on the road providing safety and security the same as whether you’re an avionics mechanic or a welder. These are jobs. You’ve got to have real hands on the tools on the wheel.”
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