A recent survey by Tech.co reveals labor shortages are blocking a U.S. freight boom. In fact, 75% of U.S. freight firms say there is a healthy demand for freight.
But this demand is likely to be hindered by a lack of staff, as 25% of U.S. freight firms cite workforce shortages as their greatest issue.
“The labor crisis in the trucking industry has been a ticking time bomb for years, and the fuse is only getting shorter, as the latest tech.co data reveals. Unless the industry can attract more people, especially younger generations, it risks losing huge volumes of potential business,” says Jack Turner, editor of Tech.co.
Key takeaways:
· 15% of U.S. freight firms say recruitment and staff retention is their priority this quarter, which is the third highest priority after managing financial pressure (21%) and vehicle upkeep (23%).
- The biggest issues currently faced by U.S. freight firms are workforce shortages (25%); rising diesel prices (23%); major unforeseen disruptions (16%); government regulations (14%); and problems with working conditions (8%).
- The most popular strategy for tackling labor issues will be providing better training and development opportunities, with 8% of professionals citing this approach.
- Top strategies U.S. freight firms will use to improve staffing are provide better training and development opportunities (8%); enhance recruitment efforts (7%); improve work-life balance for drivers (6%); increase driver compensation and benefits (6%); and improve company culture (6%).
