By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters] – On Thursday, the Biden administration will meet with the trucking sector to find new drivers for a critical component of U.S. Supply Chains.

According to the White House, COVID-19 has “exacerbated existing workforce problems in trucking industries such as high unemployment.”

Turnover rates, aging workers, long working hours, and waiting time are all factors that contribute to high turnover.

National Economic Council Director Brian Deese and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will host a Roundtable at The White House featuring leaders from the trucking sector, as well as labor and business leaders.

A joint initiative called “Driving Good Jobs” has been launched by both the Transportation and Labor Departments. The White House stated that it was “inviting industry, labor, all levels of government,… to solve these trucking workforce problems and build a next generation trucking workforce.”

As required by a new infrastructure law, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will shortly launch a pilot program for drivers between 18 and 21 years old.

In a December 1 Detroit News opinion piece, Jim Hoffa, President of Teamsters, stated that there is “no shortage” of truckers. These drivers are not getting the fair and equitable pay and treatment they deserve from their employers.

He stated that “truckers have been taken for granted” by the big business, even though all of the hard work they put in to keep America going during COVID-19’s most challenging days.

The White House said the Transportation Department is providing $30 million to help states expedite issuance of commercial driver’s licenses. The department is also helping to accelerate the growth of apprenticeship programs.

According to the Transportation Department, freight tonnage is expected to rise by half by 2050 and reach 28.7 million tons by 2050. The predominant cargo carrier is expected to be trucks, currently carrying 65% of U.S. freight, for the foreseeable future.

According to the American Trucking Associations, 3.36 million drivers will be employed in the trucking industry by 2020 according to ATA. The ATA estimates that the shortage in drivers will reach a peak of just under 80,000 this year.