In The News

Despite rough times, trucking business Still booming

While many professions are seeing cut backs, there is at least one that's growing.

Currently there are at least 120,000 unfilled trucking jobs nationwide.

There's such a demand that the state has a program to pay for trucking school. The federally funded program aims to employ more women and minorities on road construction projects.

In two years more than 70 people have graduated and all of them are currently working. "If a construction company needs a driver we can supply them a well-trained driver because the program is aimed at the construction industry," says Jeff Ritts of Horizon Truck School in east Sparks.

And although it's traditionally a man's field, statistically we're told women are safer truckers. "Part of it is they're more meticulous at what they're doing."

N-DOT's Roc Stacey says, "It seems they're the employee of the moment - great attention to detail and everyone's just clamoring to get a hold of them."

To find out more about the state's program to pay for trucking school, call 342-0238. They plan to begin a new class in the spring.

It takes five weeks to learn the ins and outs of trucking plus a three and half hour final.