BATON ROUGE – The driver shortage, retention challenges and shortage of diesel technicians have been hot topics in workforce training conversations across the nation for the better part of a decade. Combined with the pandemic's additional economic stress, reliance on transportation services further increased the driver shortage from a gap of 60,000 drivers to 160,000 drivers needed by 2030.
In light of these challenges, the Louisiana House and Senate passed HCR 69 during the 2022 Legislative Session. The bill calls for the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the state Department of Education, the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS), and the Louisiana Workforce Commission to collaborate to establish an industry-based credential offered through dual enrollment for the classroom instruction portion of commercial driver's license training.
“This resolution makes Louisiana the first and only state to legislatively call for action to address early training and career engagement of transportation jobs, specifically drivers,” said LCTCS President Dr. Monty Sullivan. “Our hope is to see more support for this kind of training across the nation.”
The proposed curriculum was peer-reviewed by the Louisiana Motor Transport Association (LMTA) and a dozen community colleges across the nation with top transportation programs.
“We are excited to work with LCTCS on this resolution to do everything possible to ensure that the next generation can access a career in the transportation sector,” said LMTA Executive Director Renee Amar. “Establishing this first-of-its-kind program exposes the next generation of truckers to an industry that can offer them a lasting and robust career while helping to bridge the workforce gap.”
The objective of the proposed framework is to allow Louisiana high school students to engage in multiple transportation-related disciplines that may spark the interest of and build the skill level and knowledge of the students who enroll. The framework is intended to:
- Be delivered as a dual enrollment course that leads to the Certified Logistics Associate credential.
- Reduce the number of hours a student needs once they enter post-secondary training
- Reduce the tuition required to complete higher-level credentials such as Diesel Technology and Commercial Driving.
- Serve as an elective for programs such as Business Administration or IT to support the management careers within transportation.
In a 2021 report issued by the American Transportation Research Institute, developing new outreach initiatives targeted toward high school students and young adults was listed as the number one concern. With the launch of this new program, LCTCS is tackling that challenge head on.
This resolution marks the second authored by Louisiana State Representative Ken Brass, who serves as Co-Chair of the Transportation Committee of the Louisiana State House of Representatives.
“Transportation and mobility build economic stability for families while increasing the local and state economy for future generations,” said Representative Brass. “Trucks move roughly 72.5% of the nation's freight. With a lack of drivers, delivering that freight will be a monumental task. Engaging with the younger generation is the most effective way to garner interest and begin training the next generation of drivers to meet our workforce needs.”
Following the voice of local industry in Louisiana, this program will not provide over-the-road training to high school students. Still, it does prepare students for entering over-the-road training upon high school graduation.
“I see this as an excellent entry to the transportation industry,” said Martin Garsee, Director of Transportation Programs at Houston Community College. “The move by FMCSA to go to the younger driver makes this a very valuable asset to any student that can take advantage of this.”
The curriculum is designed to support students from all of Louisiana’s community and technical colleges at all levels of education, including adult education students who have not earned a high school diploma.
All 12 Louisiana community and technical colleges will have access to these commercial vehicle operation programs and are encouraged to work with local school districts on implementation.
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About the Louisiana Community and Technical College System
The Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) provides strategic management and support for Louisiana's 12 community and technical colleges. LCTCS colleges award associates degrees, technical diplomas, and industry-based certificates in programs aligned with business and industry and local economies, which lead students to good in-demand, high-wage jobs.
