NRMCA members can now downoad the 2019 Mixer Driver Recruitment and Retention Survey. This year, the report shows the mixer driver pool increased for the first time in two years, up 2,000 drivers, to an estimated 77,000. Despite that, producers also reported approximately 9,900 unfulfilled jobs. Not only did 60% turn away orders because they did not have drivers to deliver product, but 95% reported driver vacancies, up 27% fromthe previous survey. Both factors dramatically increased over last year’s survey. Since 2014, it is estimated the industry hired approximately 115,500 mixer drivers; approximately 102,400 were left in a five-year average mixer driver pool of 74,400.
In the survey’s five-year history, respondents overwhelmingly noted their biggest hiring challenge was finding drivers with ready mixed concrete experience. Facing such a shortage, 43% reported they hired 18-21 year old drivers and 51% hired newly licensed commercial drivers. Approximately 8% of new hires last year were new CDL drivers. On the other end of the spectrum, 56% reported they rehired former employees, equating to 9% of the new-hire mixer driver pool. Better pay, inconsistent daily schedules and lack of a steady 12-month income/work remain the top three reasons drivers quit.
Click here to download this year’s comprehensive Mixer Driver Recruitment and Retention Survey Report. For more information, contact Eileen Dickson at edickson@nrmca.org.
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association