The trucking industry shortage is nothing new. There has been a need for truck drivers for quite a while now. As reported by cbsnews.com, ATA faces a shortage of about 60,000 drivers. Often, the industry tries different approaches to address the driver shortage. Some methods are aimed at attracting new drivers. Some methods simply involve retaining those already within their ranks.
Attempts to address driver shortages
The latest attempt comes in the form of a program. The program aims to create job opportunities for individuals serving time in federal prisons. Such a program is quite massive. It is not only solving the truck driver shortage. It is also giving these individuals a second chance at life. Everyone deserves a chance, regardless of their past.
Jorge Badilla is a good example of what this opportunity can do for someone. His release from prison was not just an end to his sentence. It was the beginning of a different kind of struggle. Once you are out, nobody wants to give you even just a listening ear. It is quite difficult to get any jobs. Stats show that six out of ten are unemployed after their sentences. Another statistic worsens the situation, as 70% of them still end up back in prison. Badila, having been in for a while, saw many inmates come and go. It struck a nerve and made him stay woke.
After his release, Badila joined the Commercial Driver's License Workforce Development Program. The program serves people who have been in jail before and are considered low risk for the trucking job. The program helps them get a CDL and links them with trucking companies to get them jobs. Just by participating in such educational programs, they reduce the risk of returning to prison by 43%. Having barriers in one’s way does not help. Especially someone in Badila’s situation. They may even concede that there would be no way to legally make a living. They have paid their dues and now need all the support they can get to re-enter society.
Deanna Logan noted that they looked for a place where they could easily support formerly incarcerated individuals, and trucking was the place they saw fit. It was a big opportunity to help them settle back into society more easily. Even if taxpayers may ask questions here and there, the program is a lifesaver for other people. Life is never easy, doing time in prison. Most of the individuals are undervalued, and some don’t even get a second chance at life. Such programs help educate them, increase their value, and even help them get jobs. Stats from 2024 show that 94% of the participants graduated. They all received good job offers, with an average starting salary of $75,000 per year. Access to jobs and education is the only way to ensure folks stay out of trouble.
