A New York City job program is connecting formerly incarcerated individuals with trucking companies to tackle a nationwide driver shortage. In 2025, the U.S. trucking industry faces a deficit of 80,000 drivers, per the American Trucking Association, exacerbated by retirements and high turnover. The initiative, run by the nonprofit Getting Out and Staying Out, trains ex-offenders for commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs), offering a path to stable, well-paying jobs averaging $60,000 annually.
Since its launch, the program has placed over 200 graduates in trucking roles, with a 90% employment retention rate, according to 2024 program data. Participants, many of whom faced hiring barriers due to criminal records, gain skills and a second chance in an industry desperate for labor. Trucking firms benefit from a motivated workforce, with companies like JB Hunt reporting improved driver diversity through such partnerships.
Critics note challenges, including long hours and time away from family, which deter some recruits. Still, with freight demand projected to rise in 2025, the program highlights a win-win solution, easing the driver shortage while empowering formerly incarcerated individuals to rebuild their lives.