BECOME A DRIVING FORCE IN OUR STATE’ S ECONOMY
THE ARKANSAS TRUCKING ASSOCIATION promotes the trucking industry in the state and is made up of more than 300 member companies, including some of the nation’ s largest freight companies.
According to Shannon Newton, the president of the ATA, many people don’ t realize all the career opportunities today’ s trucking industry offers.
“ I tell people this is not your grandfather’ s trucking industry,” she says.“ One out of every 11 jobs in Arkansas is in the trucking industry. You’ ll find dispatchers, customer service representatives, accountants, IT specialists, and jobs in sales and marketing.” She says two careers are in especially high demand.
“ We are facing a shortage of diesel technicians and professional drivers,” Newton explains.“ The industry experienced huge growth during the 1980s. Now those individuals are retiring and there’ s not a strong pipeline of young people entering these careers.”
That may be because many people don’ t think of trucking as a hightech field, but Newton says that couldn’ t be further from the truth.
“ When you sit in the driver’ s seat of a truck and look at the controls and dashboard, it’ s almost like looking at the controls of an airplane,” she says.“ Everything is designed to improve efficiency and safety. When it comes to repairing and maintaining today’ s trucks, a diesel technician’ s computer is just as important as a toolbox.”
Newton says a college degree isn’ t required to start building a successful career in the trucking industry.“ Many companies offer their own training programs, or partner with technical schools and will help pay to get the training you need,” she says. From there, you can grow your career as you improve your skills.
“ One young man, Aaron Martin, started out working as a diesel technician,” Newton recalls.“ He consistently competed at the Arkansas Technician Championship, where technicians prove
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The Arkansas trucking industry provides one out of every 11 jobs in the state. their tech skills in a variety of tasks. He won the Grand Champion title two years in a row and is now a manager at Truck Centers of Arkansas in Springdale.”
Newton says these in-demand careers create an opportunity to earn a good living. In Northwest Arkansas, initial pay for new technicians ranges from $ 15 to $ 22 an hour, depending on the level of experience and certifications. Many companies estimate their technicians earn $ 50,000 to $ 60,000 a year as they gain experience and training.
Income for drivers is also on the rise.“ Average pay for an entry level commercial driver is about $ 40,000 a year,” Newton says.“ I know experienced drivers who are now making twice that.”
Newton says careers in the trucking industry can provide a good quality of life.“ Because technicians and drivers are needed so badly, you may be able to negotiate your pay and work environment,” she explains.“ There’ s been a shift in the industry to improve the experience for employees. For example, instead of a driver spending seven to 10 days on the road, they may make shorter trips, which keeps them closer to home and gives them a more consistent schedule,” Newton says.
Trucking companies offer the same benefits that you’ ll find in other industries, including paid time off, health insurance and retirement savings plans.“ Many companies also offer sign on bonuses of $ 1,000 to $ 1,500,” Newton adds.
Opportunities in the trucking industry in Arkansas are growing. Demand for trucking is predicted to rise 20 percent over the next decade.“ A strong trucking industry is vital to our state’ s economy,” Newton says.“ We’ re looking for people who have the skills and drive to help build a stronger Arkansas.”
To learn more about careers in Arkansas’ trucking industry, visit www. arkansastrucking. com / careers, or scan the code with your phone.
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