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New Source of Drivers: Baby Boomers

The American Trucking Associations recently announced its participation in the Alliance for an Experienced Workforce, a first-of-its-kind collaboration between industry associations, designed to promote strategies for recruiting and retaining workers over age 50 as well as planning for the demographic challenges that will face the U.S. workforce in coming years.

Comprised of more than 20 industry associations representing over 5 million businesses and spearheaded by the American Association of Retired Persons, the Alliance is expected to serve as a catalyst for bringing government, employers and employees together to help and encourage workers to remain employed beyond the typical retirement age.

The Alliance, for example, will cultivate industry-specific best practices for workers aged 50 and above, including for such issues as benefits, workplace design and recruitment strategies.

“With a critical driver shortage facing the trucking industry, now, more than ever, our industry is consistently looking toward recruiting and retaining this pool of experienced workers,” says ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. “Motor carriers consistently have employed qualified workers over age 50 because of their proven track record as safe, professional drivers with well-developed judgment skills, strong work ethics and sound sense of responsibility. ATA is pleased to be a member of the Alliance for an Experienced Workforce. We hope that this effort will facilitate a healthy dialogue between motor carriers and mature workers interested in a truck driving career.”

Over the next 10 years, 25 million workers will be eligible for retirement, the byproduct of an aging baby boomer generation. As a result, many employers are planning now for how they will retain a competitive advantage as the labor market tightens. Leading industry organizations, including ATA, recognize that recruiting and retaining employees 50 and older makes good business sense.

Larry Johnson, president of the Nebraska Trucking Association, sees trucking as a great opportunity for aging baby boomers who have been laid off from their blue- and white-collar jobs or are just looking for a career change.

"They’ve always been unique,” Johnson says. “For them to leave a 9-to-5 office environment and finally get out and travel the country has its possibilities. There’s a huge amount of people who are finishing one career and looking for a new opportunity.”

For more information on the Alliance, visit www.aarp.org/alliance.

Sources: ATA, Roemer Report (used with permission)

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