The American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index improved by 0.9 percent in March, meaning tonnage rates have increased in four of the past five months. In fact, over the past five months the index is up 7.6 percent as the commercial truck industry continues to show rapid growth and a higher demand for professionally trained drivers. The economy is beginning to slowly rebound from the 2008 recession but even before the recent growth, the commercial truck industry had been showing rapid growth.

The index in March was 3.8 percent higher than the same month in 2012. In 2012 the commercial truck industry had already grown by a large rate, so another round of growth in 2013 is proof that the truck industry is ready for years of growth.

“Fitting with the expectation for solid gross domestic product growth in the first quarter, tonnage was strong in March and the quarter overall,” ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello said. “At 3.9 percent year-over-year growth, the first quarter increase was the best since the final quarter 2011.

“Expect freight tonnage will slow in the months ahead as the federal government sequester continues and households finish spending their tax returns,” he said. “The good news for tonnage is housing starts are growing and energy production is good – both of which generates heavy freight. However, these two sectors alone won’t be enough to keep the overall index growing at a 3.9 percent clip in the second quarter.”

As the demand for commercial truck drivers continues to grow, jobseekers with professional CDL training are in a great position to secure a long-term job. The CDL training program at US Truck Driving School can be completed in a matter of months and recruiters help students find the perfect truck-driving job that meets their needs. For jobseekers looking to enter the growing commercial truck industry, the CDL training program at US Truck is one of the best first steps.

US Truck Driving School offers a CDL training program that is helping job seekers start a long-term career as a professional commercial truck driver, which is especially needed in today’s era of high unemployment. Carriers all across the country are experiencing a shortage of qualified drivers, which makes professional training from a respected school like US Truck Driving School the logical first step in getting work in this growing industry.

In fact, hiring in the truck industry would be much higher if not for a shortage of professionally trained truck drivers all across the country. Carriers all across the country are struggling to keep up with demand as truck business grows, but not enough drivers are available to take on new routes.

This shortage has created a demand that drives up driver pay and benefits. A career as a commercial truck driver can be challenging but for those with professional training, it can also be a long-term and stable career. The commercial truck industry has been experiencing strong growth in recent years and many labor experts predict that another 500,000 professionally trained commercial truck drivers may be needed over the next decade.

That means drivers with professional training from a respected driver training program, like US Truck Driving School, are finding success in landing a job at some of the nation’s top trucking firms. Recruiters at US Truck Driving School work with some of the nation’s top truck carriers to help students find the job they are looking for in this growing field.

In addition to offer good pay and stability, a career as a commercial truck driver offers chances for advancement, especially for drivers with professional training and experience. Because the demand for commercial truck drivers is expected to continue for several years, new drivers can feel comfortable with the fact that they are working in an industry that offers stability and a chance for growth. Carriers have thousands of job vacancies right now, but as more drivers enter retirement and the number of routes increases as the economy grows, even more commercial truck drivers will be needed in the future.

The CDL training program at the US Truck Driving School can be completed in a matter of months and recruiters help students find the perfect truck-driving job that meets their needs. Many students complete the program with multiple opportunities from some of the best truck carriers in the country.

The US Truck Driving School offers a CDL training program that is helping job seekers start a long-term career as a professional commercial truck driver, which is especially needed in today’s era of high unemployment. Carriers all across the country are experiencing a shortage of qualified drivers, which makes professional training from a respected school like the US Truck Driving School the logical first step in getting work in this growing industry.

When: Wednesday, May 29th

Time: 10:00AM- 2:00PM

Where: Colorado Springs Campus
19825 Wigwam Road (Exit 119)

Carriers on site: Werner, Swift, May Trucking, TransAm, Ace Hardware, National Carriers, and Waste Connections

Please come join us! Visit with the carriers and have lunch on us, plus ENTER TO WIN COLORADO ROCKIES TICKETS AND OTHER PRIZES!!

We look forward to seeing you there!

Freight volumes in the first quarter of 2013 are up as the DAT North American Freight Index finished the quarter with a 7.7 percent increase compared to the first quarter of 2012 and was up 11 percent over the last quarter of 2012. That growth is the reason why the commercial truck industry is currently facing a shortage of drivers as there are not enough applicants with professional training.

Freight rates in March rose compared to February across all equipment types, including commercial trucks, which make up the bulk of transportation used to move goods throughout the country. The growth in commercial truck freight shows that the industry continues to grow and the demand for drivers will also continue to rise. In fact, some labor officials predict that as many as 500,000 new truck drivers will be needed over the next decade, especially as thousands of drivers enter retirement in the coming years.

At US Truck Driving School, students are being prepared for a bright and long-term career as a professional truck driver. The demand for drivers is high, but the majority of carriers are looking for drivers with experience and professional CDL training, and US Truck Driving School is helping to create the next generation of American truck drivers. Students who complete the program often find multiple job offers waiting for them as carriers compete for applicants with the best training and experience. The growing rate of freight in America means that the demand for new commercial truck drivers will only get bigger, making this the perfect time for jobseekers to consider a new career as a professional truck driver.

US Truck Driving School offers a CDL training program that is helping job seekers start a long-term career as a professional commercial truck driver, which is especially needed in today’s era of high unemployment. Carriers all across the country are experiencing a shortage of qualified drivers, which makes professional training from a respected school like US Truck Driving School the logical first step in getting work in this growing industry.

The demand for truck drivers is expected to last for several years, and that not only means there are current opening for professional drivers, but that the starting salaries for the nation’s best drivers is also going up. The commercial truck industry offers higher than average starting pay, good benefits, flexible schedules and a chance to work in one of the few industries in America that is showing substantial growth.

Bobby, why did you get into this business?
Simple, I enjoy driving trucks.

Who did you go to work for after getting your CDL from here?
I was able to get on with Coors Distribution Company

How did you get on with Coors?
I got lucky, I applied online and got an interview less then 2 weeks after applying.

I evidently made a good impression during the interview so was taken for a road test the same day. I was told it was very unusual for them to do this. I was on this road test for 2 1/2 hours and was hired the same day, pending a drug test of course. I drive a 42ft trailer and a 48ft trailer doing local deliver down town Denver and into Grand Junction. I pretty much deliver all over Colorado, although most of my driving and deliveries are down town Denver.

I found out that of the 53 road test done by the Coors instructor I was one of 3 who were hired. So I guess I did make a good impression!

I did some driving in the military with straight trucks but I also attribute my driving ability to the job 2 instructors at USTDS did…Norm Wigham and Kenny DeCora. Most of my time was spent with Ken and I learned a lot from him.

However, drivers with professional training from a school like US Truck Driving School are much more likely to hold a driving position long-term as they are up to the challenge and understand what it takes to be a professional truck driver.

The high turnover rate is mainly caused by the fact that carriers are forced to higher inexperienced drives, and any professional who is inexperienced at their job is likely to leave after a short time. Truck carriers are facing a shortage of experienced and professionally trained truck drivers, which is one reason why applicants with training from a school like US Truck Driving School are highly desired by trucking companies and carriers.

The commercial truck turnover rate has been over 100 percent for the past year and the American Trucking Associations says it is leading to higher competition between carriers for the best drivers available. Carriers are seeing a growth in orders but are challenged by the fact that not enough professionally trained drivers are available to help ship those new orders. That has created a tight truck driver market and a large actual shortage for drivers. Some industry estimates show that the current shortage of quality truck drivers is at 20,000 and 25,000, but that number is expected to grow, reaching as high as 239,000 by 2022.

The turnover rate actually indicates a high demand for truck drivers. But the demand is really for professionally trained drivers from a respected CDL program like the one at US Truck Driving School. Drivers with professional training earn the highest salaries, get the best routes and have the best chance for advancement. Professionally trained truck drivers also have a greater fulfillment in their jobs because they understand how to properly operate a commercial truck and also realize what an important service they are providing for the country.

If you are looking for work or a change in careers, then the commercial truck industry might be the right fit for you. Truck carriers have more jobs than they do drivers to fill them and those with professional CDL training from a respect program like US Truck Driving School are finding many employment options when they complete the program. The competition between carriers for the best truck drivers is heating up, and that puts students of the training program at US Truck Driving School at an advantage.

US Truck Driving School is creating the next generation of commercial truck drivers and students are finding a new career as a professional truck driver in an industry that shows no signs of slowing down. As millions of Americans continue to look for work and economist search for answers to high unemployment, the commercial truck industry is doing its part to put Americans back to work in an industry that is vital to the national economy.

Why did you choose this business?
Job security is a huge factor. There is always a need to move products regardless of the economy. I happened to get on Craigs lists and there seems to be hundresds of companies looking for drivers. My brother also had a had a lot to do with it. He got his CDL and was very influencial in helping me decide to do it as well.

Why did you choose USTDS?
My brother researched a lot of schools and decided this one had a great reputation. He came here for his CDL so it was an easy choice for me.

Kirk is an amazing guy when I came in for a visit I met with him and I was convinced for sure. Also, I spoke with Kay at Schneider and she recommended me here. She said Schneider got good driveers from this school.

So how did US Truck do?
Instructors were fantastic. Very knowledgable and organized. We had snow a couple times and it got a little hectic. Not all instructors made it here on time but those that were helped get everything organized and started. From beginning to end everyone here has been amazing.

Who will you drive for?
I’be been accepted by Schneider National so that is where I am going. Orientation with them is scheduled for the beginning of May.