Biden Trucking Action Plan Makes Progress
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law addresses the expansion of the trucking industry, aiming to support the ongoing economic recovery and lay the foundation for a next-generation trucking workforce that will strengthen U.S. competitiveness and support millions of truck driving jobs for years to come.
Throughout the pandemic, America’s truck drivers have been on the frontlines delivering goods to every corner of the country. But these past few years have exacerbated longstanding workforce challenges in the trucking industry, like high turnover rates, long hours away from home, and time spent waiting – often unpaid – to load and unload at congested ports, warehouses, and distribution centers.
The Biden Administration also recognizes that many truckers are not directly employed, meaning that they operate as independent small businesses. Because of this, they bear the burden of truck leasing, gas, insurance, and maintenance costs themselves.
Last December, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Labor launched the Trucking Action Plan to increase the supply of truck drivers by creating new pathways into the profession, cutting red tape to expand high-quality training through Registered Apprenticeship, and laying the foundation for improving job quality to keep people in the profession.
Getting Americans Working in Better Trucking Jobs:
The new Driving Good Jobs initiative between DOL and DOT is committed to ongoing work to ensure that trucking jobs are good jobs. Over the last 90 days, the Administration held a number of listening sessions to ensure that the trucking industry’s voices and experiences are heard.
Ensuring a safe and inclusive industry for women
Truck leasing
Detention Time and Compensation Studies
Truck parking
Strengthening workplace safety and worker’s rights
Cutting red tape in Commercial Driver’s Licensing:
Working with States and Governors, the Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation plans to accelerate Commercial Driver’s License processing. In order to do this, the DOT announced over $57 million in funding to help states expedite CDLs, they coordinated waivers, and send all 50 states a toolkit detailing specific actions to speed up the CDL process.
Scaling Registered Apprenticeships in trucking to improve retention:
With a goal of moving the market on how truckers are recruited, trained, and retained, the Departments of Labor and Transportation launched the 90-Day Trucking Apprenticeship Challenge. This model of workforce training will help employers recruit, and retain a skilled workforce.
DOT launched the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot to safely connect American Adults under the age of 21 to good-paying jobs in the trucking industry through Registered Apprenticeship.
Helping connect veterans to trucking careers:
The trucking industry partnered with leading Veterans Service Organizations to support the recruitment and retention of veterans and military family members in trucking. In addition, the Department of Labor partnered with FASTPORT, a software development company that builds digital products to help all people find meaningful employment, to connect transitioning service members with apprenticeship and employment opportunities in the trucking industry.
Gentry graduated from Grand Valley with a Bachelor’s Degree in multi-media journalism. She is an artist who loves videography, writing, and hopes to one day own multiple dogs.
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