Trucking puts laid-off workers on the fast track to employment

By John Paul (jpaul@wsbt.com)

Tools

Some laid-off workers are looking at a new career in the trucking industry

Some laid-off workers are looking at a new career in the trucking industry. (WSBT photo)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Mar 3, 2009 at 6:48 PM EST

Story Updated: Mar 5, 2009 at 12:32 AM EST

BERRIEN COUNTY — There's an industry looking for workers and they're flooded with applications from people shifting gears to a new career.

Tom Pearson said the decision was easy.

"I finally said, I'm going for it," said Pearson.

After 20 years in construction, jobs in that industry have been scarce.
Pearson has been out of work for three months.

"I kept thinking business would rebound and get better and get better," he said. "It kept on getting worse."

So he traded in his construction hat and tool belt for a seat in a classroom at Professional Drivers Institute.

In three weeks, he'll receive certification to drive a truck.

"I am seeing a lot of guys who have been in jobs anywhere from 28 years and 10 years," said Rebecca Wood, a recruiter at PDI. "They've worked in the same field and now have absolutely no where else to go."

Wood said PDI has been busy these last few months.

"The phones are ringing and we're running in circles to get everyone taken care of," she said. "Getting them into new jobs and new fields."

It's a shift she's never seen, until now.

"They're seeking us out instead of us beating down the doors to get them in," she said.

The school has noticed a surge in students, many of them are laid-off parts or RV workers. Their journey to a different career starts inside the truck's cabin.

Luann Leslie is the Training Director at PDI. She was their first female student, and comes from a long line of truck drivers.

On the road, she said there are a few bumps: long hours, high turnover, and being away from family. But she says there's plenty of work.

"People can cut back but you still have to get it there," said Leslie. "It's a little harder to get it paid for, but it still has to be trucked."

Over the course of three weeks, several days are spent in the classroom, then the hands-on learning and driving occurs.

In some instances, jobs are lined up for students once they receive their certification.

The financial crisis is making it difficult for some laid-off workers to receive loans to enroll in schools for new careers. Banks are tightening their wallets, but that's not slowing down enrollment. PDI has offered a $1,500 discount to students who are successful in securing their financing themselves.

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