PERRYSBURG, OH (Toledo News Now) – A statewide truck driver shortage has many people looking to apply for all the openings. The American Trucking Association estimates a shortage from 20,000 to 30,000.
One truck driving school in Perrysburg is helping fill that void.
"It's a very good time to be a truck driver," said Kevin Howell, president of Trainco Truck Driving School in Perrysburg.
Howell said business is booming as hundreds of students are enrolling.
"All the companies are hiring and just as strong as we've ever seen it," said Howell.
The school has been open for 17 years and has six locations in Michigan and Perrysburg. Last year they trained 600 new drivers. Howell said some of his graduates find work locally within six months. Those job hopefuls are transitioning to driving from every age group and background.
Carrie Ziggler, 23, is a freshman and former Kroger cashier who wanted to make more money.
"Decent tuition. I mean, I looked online and at other schools in Ohio and the tuition went up into the $12,000 range," said Ziggler.
Tuition is just shy of $4,000. It takes one month to become certified and get a CDL license.
"We've had a couple of bus drivers that drive buses full-time throughout the school year and they work for us on the weekend or on the evenings," said Howell.
An entry-level truck driver makes $30,000 to $40,000. More experienced drivers earn $50,000 on average. Howell said because of the amount of openings, people have a higher chance of getting some of that money.
Copyright 2012 Toledo News Now. All rights reserved.
Last year, Trainco Truck Driving School in Perrysburg trained 600 new drivers.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and Toledo News Now, a Raycom Media Station. 
