Truck technician shortage will intensify

Sept. 21, 2015

Today’s shortage of technicians is only going to get worse in the coming years.  In the trucking industry alone, more than 140,000 truck and diesel engine jobs will go unfilled by 2022, according to the American Trucking Associations.

ATA President and CEO Bill Graves is calling on policymakers, schools, and trucking industry to do more to address the nation’s large and growing shortage of truck technicians.

 According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, trucking will need to recruit 67,000 new technicians by 2022.  The number reflects the expected growth of the market as well as a need to replace men and women currently working in the industry. In addition, BLS expects more than 75,000 new diesel engine specialists will be needed nationally by 2022.

 “In our industry, we often talk about the impact of the shortage of truck drivers,” Graves said, “but we mustn’t forget trucking’s need to have many skilled technicians and mechanics to keep their rigs in working order and their wheels moving.”