Industry Group Urges Grants, Education Outreach to Address Trucking Driver Shortage

Kevin Weeks, representing the Transportation Association of Massachusetts, told the Joint Committee on Transportation that the state faces a persistent shortage of truck drivers that threatens supply chains and urged support for House Bill 3730 and Senate Bill 2361.

“Trucks deliver approximately 93% of all goods purchased in Massachusetts,” Weeks said, and he described a long-term national shortage that has narrowed from more than 100,000 drivers in prior years to “still in excess of 60,000.” He asked the committee to create a grant program—administered by the Department of Higher Education—to finance training and education programs for commercial transportation. Grants would be available to public and private entities and the bill would direct the Registry of Motor Vehicles to provide information about trucking careers to people obtaining permits and licenses.

Weeks said Massachusetts has six private training schools but that many students currently pay out of pocket. He suggested the program would expand the pipeline for drivers, attract younger workers, and broaden participation by women and immigrants. “If we do not continue to increase the workforce in Massachusetts in the trucking industry, cost of goods will continue to go up,” Weeks told the committee.

Committee members asked about existing vocational programs in other states; Weeks said several states have implemented successful training partnerships and that he would provide examples on request. The committee took testimony but did not vote.