NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Feb. 18, 2021
Media Contact for event: Stefanie Wells, (208) 365-7781 ext. 3384
Media Contact for trucking industry information: Jan Roeser, (208) 332-3570 ext. 3639
Men and women interested in a truck driving career can get a look at some of the rigs they could end up driving at the Caldwell Trucking Job Fair, Feb. 24, from 9 a.m. to noon.
The event will take place at the Idaho Department of Labor’s Caldwell office, 4514 Thomas Jefferson St. in Caldwell.
Big rigs, dump trucks, delivery vans and more will be on display in the office parking lot. One employer is bringing a big truck simulator so job seekers can get a feel for what it’s like to drive a big rig.
Employers offering employment and training opportunities include Ada County Highway District, Knight Transportation, Tawnika Trucking, Sage Truck Driving, Schwan’s and several more.
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will be on hand with more than 50 open positions available statewide along with a five-week, on-the-job training program in heavy equipment operation. Upon completion, students earn a free commercial driver’s license.
“Trucking is one of several industries feeling the squeeze of a tight workforce in the Treasure Valley,” explains Labor Economist Jan Roeser.
According to Roeser, job listings for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers in the Treasure Valley reached 3,600 in 2021. That was in addition to the 4,790 truckers and drivers employed in the Boise metro area as of 2020. Listings for light truck drivers topped 750 with 145 openings for bus drivers, transit and intercity transport.
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers in the Treasure Valley earned a median wage of $22.14 per hour as of 2020 — about $4 above median wage for all occupations. Employment growth in the industry is projected to reach 10.7% between 2020-2030.
Light truck drivers, which includes delivery truck drivers for FedEx, UPS, Amazon and local goods delivery – earn a median hourly wage of just over $16 per hour. Job growth for this industry is projected to grow by 36.3% between 2020 to 2030.
Demand for bus drivers is also exceeded supply, with 145 job listings in 2021. The occupation is expected to grow 21.1% by 2030.
There is room to grow in the Boise metro area for young people and women interested in trucking occupations. By age, the largest percentage – about 50% – were between 45 and 64 in 2021. That number drops to 16% in ages 25 to 44 and about 5% for ages 19-24. Also in 2021, just 19% of the workers in trucking and transportation were women.
Attendees needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the job fair should contact Stefanie.Wells@labor.idaho.gov, (208) 364-7781, ext. 3384, or Elizabeth.Anzaldua@labor.idaho.gov, (208) 364-7781, ext. 3172
Attending a job fair event counts as one weekly valid work-search activity for unemployment insurance claimants.
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MEDIA ADVISORY: Schwan’s, Ada County, Tawnika and Valley Ride will all have vans to big rigs on site during a special set up time Wednesday, Feb. 23, from 10 a.m. to noon. Hiring managers are available to speak with the media about their hiring needs.