Never has a recession-proof industry been more sought after than during a global pandemic, a pandemic that has seen jobs and livelihoods lost on a frightening scale. Further, this is not the first time in recent history that work, careers, and incomes have been lost following an economic crisis. You only have to look back to 2007 to recount the days of The Great Recession ensuing from the banking and property crisis. The economic fallout from that was catastrophic and took years of recovery. At the time, you’d have been hard-pressed to find a sector that was not affected as the ripple tore through the US economy and then the rest of the world. 

That said, there are always some industries and sectors that can withstand a global economic shakedown. They may not come out completely unscathed, but they will remain intact and ready to fight on another day. Trucking is one such industry. While some truckers and truck logistics companies felt the pinch of the recession, and even with the recent pandemic, the industry as a whole has stood firm, and truckers’ jobs largely remain secure. A current shortage of truckers has meant hiring truck drivers is proving difficult, unheard of in times of economic crisis. 

If that hasn’t convinced you, here are some more reasons why driving a truck can prove to be a recession-proof career. 

Demand 

As with any sector, its success is built upon demand. If there is a demand for something, businesses need to find a way to supply it. What is the most common form of supplying physical goods? You guessed it! Freight. If the recent pandemic highlighted anything regarding truckers, it’s that they are essential workers. Trucking was an industry that could not work from home. Without truckers on the road, there inevitably would be serious problems. 

Allow yourself to imagine what might happen if all the truck drivers put down their keys and stayed home. How do you think the food on the grocery store shelves gets there? For that matter, how do you think the shelves themselves got there? What about the gas you put in your tank? Or the materials needed to build new houses, office buildings, and marketplaces? The need to transport goods from point A to point B has always been there, and it will always be there, regardless of technological advances. The truck is the technology that replaced the horse and cart. To date, hiring truck drivers has been one constant that has stood the test of time, recession or not. So whether you want part-time driving jobs or a full schedule, opting into the truck driving industry is a safe bet for your future employment prospects. 

Specialization  

Trucking ranges from local driving jobs to highly specialized and skilled trucking sectors, and there will always be a need for both. With the expansion of online retail, courier jobs have seen a massive spike in demand that isn’t likely to wane anytime soon. Trucking careers may start at entry-level truck driving jobs, but once you have both your license and experience, much more of the trucking world will be open to you. You can seek to specialize in various trucking jobs, which often bring with them very lucrative financial incentives — not to mention job security. If you can specialize in the right sector, you can further protect your trucking career.  

You may, for example, specialize in driving hazardous materials. These types of trucking jobs typically require specific training and skill sets because, by nature, they impose various levels of risk to the driver’s health and safety. However, they also provide above-average financial returns. Hazardous material will always be a part of the world, whether for government entities or private companies, and somebody will always need to move it from one place to another. 

Other areas in which truck drivers can specialize are ice road trucking, the mining industry, oversized loads, or long-distance haulage. But of course, specialized driving is not without its stresses. It requires more extensive training, a temperament for working in potentially dangerous and challenging conditions, and the flexibility to work for extended periods away from home. That said, the incentive in terms of pay and job security can certainly make it worthwhile. 

Variety of trucking available 

Trucking itself is a catch-all phrase that covers the many facets of truck drivers. While some sectors may require further training, if you can drive a truck, there will undoubtedly be a variety of trucking jobs available to you. It is often the case that, even if the demand in one sector goes down, there will always be other areas where demand remains stable or booms. Take, for example, the 2007 recession. The demand for housing all but stopped overnight, and industries within this sector felt the knock-on effect, including the truck drivers who transported the housing materials. However, those truck drivers weren’t left without viable work because they had the desired skill set to be easily redeployed in another sector. So, even if truckers are laid off from one form of employment, many find that it’s possible to easily switch the type of carrier they drive and continue working. Being laid off for most truckers is only a temporary state. Plus, in many cases, truckers are laid off and seek work elsewhere only to be called back to their previous employment when the demand has picked up again.  

In conclusion  

While it would be foolish to say that every trucker in every sector is recession-proof, there is undoubtedly a robust case to be made for the security that truck driving has to offer, even in times of unprecedented and unparalleled crises. You will be hard-pressed to find a truck driver out of work for a prolonged period of time — unless it’s by choice, of course. Driving a truck takes skill and dedication, but there is a field of driving to suit all truckers, whether they desire a local driving job or want to take on the responsibility of a highly skilled car hauler. The work is there. If you’re interested in becoming a truck driver or looking for work, start with Warrior Logistics. There has never been a better time.