Truck driver recruiting: how to attract the next generation of drivers

Are you looking for ways to entice young people to join your trucking fleet? You’re not alone, the entire trucking industry is looking to younger drivers to help fill the gaps older drivers leave as they retire.

Learn seven ways to recruit truck drivers, specifically younger drivers, to your team. 

Why attracting younger drivers is crucial for the industry

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) compiled data about the current ages of CDL holders versus the average age of workers. CDL holders ages 50–69 were the majority at 35.2%, and younger drivers (20–34) made up 25.5%.

It’s not a secret that the average commercial truck driver is older, and the industry faces a real threat of many drivers retiring soon. That’s why they are focusing so much on recruiting younger drivers, especially Gen Z, who are more open to trades compared to Millennials. 

7 strategies to recruit truck drivers

Here are seven ways to customize your recruiting strategies to cater to younger drivers. 

1. Offer competitive pay

Potential drivers value pay more than ever. The rise in the cost of living impacts their lives, and they want to make sure they (and their loved ones) can live comfortably. 

2. Emphasize great benefits

To accompany better pay, benefits also need to be included. Benefits such as the ones listed below can be enticing to potential drivers:

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Pet insurance
• Wellness programs

If you already have benefits for your drivers, make sure to emphasize them in any job postings you use. 

3. Create flexible schedules that work for drivers

Work/life balance is important to Millennials and Gen Z, and trucking is known to test that. After all, depending on the type, truckers can spend days on the road away from home.

This is why trucking companies need to rethink how they create schedules so time on the road and time at home are closer to equal. 

4. Provide detailed and comprehensive training

Training is important to recruiting truck drivers for three reasons:

1. Keeps drivers safe
2. Shows that you care about safety
3. Acknowledges that most people don’t know how to operate a commercial truck

The third reason is critical because it illustrates that trucking is an accessible career path. Many people don’t even consider trucking a potential career because they don’t know how to operate a truck. If you show potential drivers how to operate a truck, you’ll help them learn, and your candidate pool will widen vastly.

A great way to train new drivers is through a driving simulator. They get to experience real scenarios in a safe environment, and you get to save money on gas. Drivers can build up their confidence and become top performers in no time. 

5. Show paths for career advancement

Everyone wants to enter a job knowing they can potentially turn it into a fulfilling career. As you post jobs, mention career advancement as an additional benefit.

If asked, explain paths for advancement clearly so the potential driver understands their options.

6. Use social media to recruit

Job boards aren't the only way to post jobs. Millennials and Gen Z are often on social media, and you need to meet them where they are. Post jobs on social media and promote them to your audience. You never know who may be interested. 

7. Boost the reputation of the industry

The trucking industry has a troubled reputation - sometimes considered lonely, unhealthy, or stagnant. Of course, we know it’s so much more, but you need to ensure others know the benefits.

In job postings and social media posts, highlight all the great aspects of being a trucker. For example, if someone loves to travel, they get paid with trucking. You can even work their schedule so they can have a couple of days off to explore the new areas they’re in.

You can also improve the industry's reputation by focusing on diversity initiatives, which will show that everyone is welcome in this industry despite its long history of being male-dominated. 

Use Driver Training Solutions to make training new recruits easy

You can proudly say that you have the best training technology available to potential drivers. Driver Training Solutions simulators provide real-time physical feedback to users as they perform in scenarios. Users can get a feel for driving a commercial truck while staying safe.