ATA calls for action on truck tech shortage

ARLINGTON, Va. (Sept. 22, 2015) — The U.S. has a growing shortage of truck technicians, and the trucking industry, technical schools and government policymakers must all work together to address that shortage, according to Bill Graves, President and CEO of the American Trucking Associations (ATA).

“In our industry, we often talk about the impact of the shortage of truck drivers,” said Mr. Graves in a Sept. 21 statement. “But we mustn't forget trucking's need to have many skilled technicians and mechanics to keep their rigs in working order and their wheels moving.”

The trucking industry will need 67,000 new technicians by 2022 to handle the industry's growth and replace retirees, Mr. Graves quoted the Bureau of Labor Statistics as saying. That does not include the approximately 75,000 new diesel technicians the industry will need by that time, he added.

The ATA's Technology and Maintenance Council is working to attract new technicians to the trucking industry through outreach efforts such as the TMCSuperTech and TMCFutureTech competitions, the association said. More information on the TMC can be found on the trade group's website.