Saturday, September 24, 2022 at SPAC Route 50, Saratoga Springs, NY - 9 AM to 3 PM

The need for Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holders is growing exponentially across the United States. In response to the shortage of CDL Truck Drivers across our region, the Saratoga-Warren-Washington Workforce Development Board (SWW WDB), along with area trucking businesses, is hosting the first Truck Rodeo on September 24th to highlight the features and benefits of this exciting career path.

Organizations with truck fleets and CDL drivers interested in competing in our event are encouraged to participate.  Our competition offers several categories of competitive vehicle classes to highlight the variety of fleets across the region, and to provide a realistic job preview of roles and responsibilities of drivers. This event is open to all members of our community to attend and will include a Touch-a-Truck Corral and representatives from the Workforce Development Board to educate the community on the truck driving industry.

The modern truck driver is part of a transportation and logistics industry that moves materials across the region, state, and country.  E-Commerce has been a catalyst for the high demand for drivers, and the pandemic has only exacerbated the worker shortage resulting in supply-chain shortfalls. The role encompasses a variety of skills and responsibilities that provides options for driving vehicles of various sizes across diverse business sectors, resulting in a satisfying career choice.

The American Trucking Association estimates that by 2028 we will need 160,000 additional drivers nation-wide.  The future of the industry depends upon attracting and retaining new drivers to this growing career field. Obtaining either Class A or Class B commercial driver’s license is very achievable. Federal training dollars, and other funding opportunities are available to help those seeking financial support. And, effective May of 2022, New York State has lowered the qualification age from 21 to 18 years old.

The perceptions of driving a truck for a living are changing.  We want to educate and inform our communities, demonstrate the skill-level and professionalism of our trucking community, and highlight the regional opportunities and significant earning potential of this career path. 

For more information, or to participate in this event, please contact:

Gretchen Steffan, SWW WDB Executive Director at gsteffan.sww.wdb@gmail.com or 518-824-8883