Indiana looking for 2,000 new drivers as economy improves

INDIANAPOLIS — About 2,000 new truck-driving jobs will open in Indiana in 2011, according to The Indianapolis Star.

The newspaper, which interviewed transportation experts and major players in the industry, says economic gains and the retirement of baby-boomer truckers are key factors driving the need for more drivers this year.

It said the average trucker earns US$37,588 a year.

Gary Langston, president of the Indiana Motor Truck Association, said more drivers will be needed to haul consumer goods this year. "I try to be optimistic that will happen," he is quoted as saying.

Indianapolis-based Celadon, which has 3,000 trailers and 9,000 trailers, expects to hire about 100 drivers this year. The company’s founder and chief executive Steve Russell says the economic difficulties of the past couple of years have driven some smaller truck companies out of business, leading to “a competitive shortage in the industry”

“We want to take advantage of that," he said.
 


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