Trucking industry remains healthy

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Many industries are starting to rebound out of the recession and unemployment numbers are showing it.

For the first time in 15 months, unemployment numbers dropped slightly from 9.5 percent in June to 9.4 in July.

The owner of Austin CDL Services says the demand for commercial drivers licenses has doubled since February.

"They're bringing their savings, they're cashing their 401K's whatever's left," said Eddie Torres who owns Austin CDL services.

Torres said America's reliance on trucks to transport goods has created a good job base for truckers.

"People still have to eat, people still have to drink," he said. "And who will bring this, it's freight. So, even though the economy's bad, freight still has to move," Torres added.

According to the American Trucking Associations website:

A shortage of professional truck drivers exists in some segments of the trucking industry.

There is a current shortage of approximately 20,000 truck drivers per year.

This number is expected to increase to 111,000 drivers by the year 2014.

More recent studies show the shortage has declined, but the need for truckers remains.

ATA has developed a website, www.GetTrucking.com, to help people interested in a career as a professional driver find out how to begin.

Larry Brown worked as a construction superintendent for 40 years. He's turning to trucking as a backup plan because in the construction industry, he says there are "oo many companies closing. Too much competition out there, people are getting cut throat on bids."