Driver training has become one of the most important areas of focus for the trucking industry , in an environment where labor shortages are already limiting operations nationwide. In Mexico, the deficit is around 99,000 drivers , which directly impacts the sector’s operational capacity.
More than 90,000 trucks remain idle due to a lack of drivers, according to the International Road Transport Union (IRU) and the National Chamber of Freight Transportation (Canacar) . In this context, training has ceased to be a supplement and has become an operational strategy: it not only attracts and retains talent, but also improves truck performance and reduces costs associated with breakdowns and corrective maintenance.
From Tamaulipas , the Nuevo Laredo Freight Carriers Association (ATC) has focused part of its efforts on addressing this need through training programs, while, in parallel, the foundation linked to the organization promotes training programs for operators and young people interested in joining the sector, according to Pedro Lozano, president of the ATC, and with initiatives led by Yvette Bazán at the head of the foundation .
One of the main challenges identified is the preparation of operators in key skills for international operations , particularly in the use of the English language, necessary for their interaction at crossings into the United States .
To address this need, the association is working on developing technological tools that facilitate the continuous learning of operators, including solutions based on applications with artificial intelligence geared towards practicing the language in real-world contexts, Lozano explained.
At the same time, the foundation linked to the ATC has consolidated a support model focused on training new generations. Through resources obtained at industry events, scholarships are channeled to operators and young people interested in joining the industry, with the aim of strengthening the trucking workforce .
In addition to training, the association also promotes exchange spaces between companies to share best practices in operational and management issues, with the intention of raising the professional level of the sector as a whole.
This approach seeks to address one of the structural challenges of the trucking industry: the availability of trained operators in an increasingly demanding environment in terms of operation, safety and compliance.
In this context, the commitment to training not only responds to an immediate need, but also to building more sustainable conditions for the long-term development of the sector.
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