Photo credit, Paul Hanaoka, unSplash
As our area grapples with the shortage in trucking workforce, opportunity awaits non-traditional truckers such as women and younger drivers. According to The Gazette, the pressures trucking companies are currently facing are breaking down mindset barriers to attract both women and younger drivers to their fleet. Interested in a trucking career? Talk with local employer, Thompson Truck & Trailer & CRST International.
How to Get Into Trucking
There are multiple ways to get into driving for a career, the most important step is gaining your CDL or Commercial Driver’s License. There are various classifications for CDLs.There are various types:
ONET Online Bright Outlook in Trucking
Onetonline.org
Job Title: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
What they do: Follow procedures to ensure safety and security of cargo. Transport goods safely using ropes, blocks, chain, binders, or covers.
Annual Median Salary: $41,500
Job Title: Bus Drivers, Transit, Intercity
What they do: Drive vehicles according to specified routes and time schedules. Assist passengers to ensure they have a safe ride.
Annual Median Salary: $31,810
Job Title: Light Truck Drivers
What they do: Drive vehicles such as a truck or van with a capacity of less than 26,001 lbs. (GVW). Transport merchandise, load and unload vehicle.
Annual Median Salary: $30,540
Job Title: Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, Recordkeeper
What they do: Duties are primarily clerical. Weight, measure, check materials and supplies. Keep relevant and accurate records.
Annual Median Salary: $35,450
Job Title: Ambulance Driver
What they do: Drive ambulance in support of transporting sick, injured, people in need of further medical assistance. Report findings from accidents. Place patient on stretchers.
Annual Median Salary: $23,000
Trucking Employers Near Cedar Rapids
The Cedar Rapids Iowa City corridor has many Trucking jobs with employers in high need. Trucking employers participating in Career Week include Thompson Truck & Trailer and CRST International.
What Employers Are Looking For
Truck and transportation drivers are in high need in the Cedar Rapids metro area. Things we hear employers say they are looking for include:
- Responsible
- Service oriented
- Active listening
- Monitoring
- Time management
Articles
How to find the best truck driving job for you
College education isn’t considered necessary for a truck driver. Graduating high school or getting a GED will be all you need to become a truck driver.
https://www.onetonline.org/find/career?c=11&g=Go
https://www.onetonline.org/link/localtrends/15-2051.01?st=IA&g=Go
This page includes information from the O*NET Career Exploration Tools by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY-ND 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
