Jobs: Transportation industry openings rise

While many industries show lackluster job growth in this tentative economic recovery, transportation is on the move.

Transportation job postings are up 73 percent from a year ago, including 20,000 new jobs from April to June, according to Indeed.com, which tracks online job postings. Companies are hiring for truck driving, stocking, warehousing and other freight-related positions.

“We’re seeing a steady demand for truck drivers right now,” said Consuelo Godden, director of DeKalb Technical College’s Regional Transportation Training Center (RTTC). Opened in 2006, the transportation center’s 13-acre campus is home to programs in commercial truck driving, straight truck and passenger truck driving, heavy equipment operation, motorcycle safety and electrical line working.

Several factors are increasing truck driver demand. One is an increase in freight tonnage.

“We’re seeing the economy start to turn around. As more goods are shipped, the transportation industry sees growth first,” said Don Green, lead instructor at the RTTC.

The aging of truck drivers is also contributing to new hires.

“Two years ago, 39 to 40 percent of the industry was going to be retiring within ten years. With the downturn, many older drivers retired and some smaller companies went out of business,” said Green. “With more freight to carry, companies need more trucks on the road, but the drivers aren’t there. We’re seeing companies that previously only hired experienced drivers come to interview and offer our graduates jobs.”

New safety regulations implemented by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration are expected to add to the shortage, according to Godden. The Comprehensive Safety Analysis (CSA) 2010 includes new rules and regulations to measure carrier and driver safety. Slated to go into effect in November and next year, they will be retroactive.

“If deemed unfit for health or safety reasons, existing drivers will be replaced,” said Godden.

The RTTC has seen a steady stream of new students looking for a career change.

“People who had been in office jobs when their companies shut down are now seeing truck driving as an immediate way to earn a living and make good money,” she said. “The public’s perception of truck driving is changing. We’re seeing 10 to 15 percent women drivers now, and more empty nesters or retired couples who want to drive as teams. People are bringing new skills into the industry.

“The atmosphere has changed. The truck stops are nicer and more family-oriented. Some owner-operators actually take their children on the road with them during the summer.”

Green tells his students to expect a lifestyle change. They need to enjoy driving, and “contrary to popular belief, driving is a thinking profession. They’ll spend a lot of time on the road, but trucks have more technology now. Many drivers use laptops to continue their education online,” he said. “They can work on their business plan to start their own companies, or gain more skills to move into management. This can be a profession, not just a job.”

Job security is good. Starting salaries range from $38,000 to $42,000, and experienced drivers make more. “The industry is moving toward average salaries of $65,000 for drivers,” said Green. “With a CDL and a clean driving record, you can go anywhere in the world and work.”

Warehousing jobs are growing, as well, according to Russell Vandiver, interim president of Lanier Technical College. “Within the last 90 days, we’ve had three big company announcements in Jackson County,” he said. Attracted by existing warehousing space along I-85 and Georgia’s technical college Quick-Start program which trains company employees, more companies are moving to Georgia.

“Dayton Superior, a concrete product business, will open a warehouse/distribution, retail and manufacturing facility. They wanted to establish a Southeast presence and will provide about 100 new jobs,” said Vandiver.

“Safelite Auto Glass plans to hire about 95 people for its new Georgia warehouse, and Systemax, a distributor for electronics products, will add about 200 people in the next couple of months.” Chicos, a women’s clothing manufacturer, is expanding its distribution center in Barrow County and will add about 180 employees, he added.