CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – (CLARKSVILLENOW) – With an estimated shortage of more than 1.8 million truck drivers nationwide, employers are continuously in search of qualified commercial driver license holders.

In an effort to meet the industry’s growing need and to help job seekers train for a driving career, Lockhart Trucking Academy of Lebanon, Tenn. has partnered with ProTrain and Austin Peay State University’s Continuing Education Division to provide ‘Class A Commercial Driver Training’ at Austin Peay.

“Being a commercial truck driver is a skilled trade and is often an overlooked profession,” says Lockhart Trucking Academy’s Owner, Susan Lockhart. “How many other jobs are out there where a person can make in excess of $40k a year after four weeks of initial training?”

Truck drivers must be able to safely operate heavy haul equipment in all weather conditions while sharing the road with much smaller vehicles. They are required to have special training and licenses to operate the equipment and must meet certain physical requirements. In addition, the growing technological advances require drivers to operate electronic devices to track their hours of service, navigation systems, and communications with their dispatchers.

“Drivers can work up to 14 hours a day at times and are often alone while driving or waiting to load/unload goods while taking direction from dispatchers remotely,” says Lockhart. “It requires a lot of patience and self-discipline but can be a very lucrative career.”

Lockhart’s recruiting manager, LeeAnn Gilbert, works closely with their driving students to find a company that is a good fit for the individual.

“The best part of my job is getting to know people and helping them make a career change that often affects their ability to provide for their families or simply have a sense of accomplishment,” says Gilbert. “I often tell our students that they are not a number and it doesn’t matter who they are, how old they are, or where they come from – when they complete the program and get their license, they will all leave as truck drivers.”

For more information, visit the Lockhart Trucking Academy website or call (615) 288-2880.