Nebraska trucking making changes to attract more workers

Listening to current drivers to make changes

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN)- Long before the pandemic began, the trucking industry was struggling to find drivers and diesel technicians.  Now with supply chain issues and demand higher than ever before, trucking industry leaders know they have to change the way they gain and maintain workers, or it could get a lot worse.  The Nebraska Trucking Association is leading the industry and making changes, starting with their big Christmas display and taking time to thank a trucker.

“The driver shortage since 2017, has been and remains the number one concern for the trucking industry nationwide and right here in Nebraska,” said Kent Grisham President and CEO of Nebraska Trucking Association.

Many in the trucking industry are trying to get rid of a federal law prohibiting truck drivers under the age of 21 from crossing state lines.  They feel getting rid of it could attract more drivers.

“You can literally come to us at 18, you can receive a scholarship from our foundation, you can go to a community college get your CDL training, and you can have a job most likely before you even graduate. You will have an employer who is waiting at the door to hire you. You will make a really good income, with no student debt,” said Grisham.

Employers are listening to current employees, and are now offering new family-friendly driving options.

“Probably about 5 years ago we had maybe 4 or 5 different fleets that drivers could be on with different home time options. Today we have about 50 different fleets to offer. Some that get drivers home every day, some through the house a couple of times a week, some home weekly,” said Tim Aschoff President and COO Crete Carrier.

Crete Carrier makes sure to cycle in newer trucks, to bring in better and safer technology.  With these options comes much more space in the cabs.  The industry as a whole is seeing a lot more team drivers, mostly empty nesters ready to see the nation.

“Because they see a tremendous opportunity to make significant money in this career. Not only are individual drivers making record-setting incomes now, if you’re a team and you can keep that truck rolling essentially 24 hours a day as a pair of team drivers, man oh man the sky is the limit,” said Grisham.

The diversity among truckers in Nebraska is reflective of the population, but they are working on listening to their female drivers, in an effort to attract more women to the industry.

“Where we come up short is women who hold professional truck driving jobs. In Nebraska, we are addressing that like no other state because we have started the trucking association women’s council,” said Grisham.

The Women’s Council has only been around for a year but continues to grow in attendance. The industry wants to make sure truckers of all ages and genders feel appreciated.

“When suddenly your grocery store had toilet paper after you were out of it for weeks at a time, guess how it got there? It got there on a truck. We are really spending a lot of time thanking the trucking profession. The truck drivers who are out there, for always being willing to keep rolling,” said Grisham.