GITNUXREPORT 2025

Upskilling And Reskilling In The Trucking Industry Statistics

Trucking invests heavily in upskilling to improve safety, efficiency, and innovation.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The average age of truck drivers in North America is over 45 years old, emphasizing the need for reskilling younger drivers

Statistic 2

The global trucking industry’s investment in upskilling technology solutions has surpassed $10 billion in 2023

Statistic 3

78% of trucking companies have increased investment in employee upskilling programs since 2020

Statistic 4

The global logistics industry is projected to spend over $75 billion annually on upskilling and reskilling initiatives by 2025

Statistic 5

Companies that implement comprehensive upskilling programs see a 15% increase in overall productivity

Statistic 6

Reskilling programs focusing on electric and autonomous vehicle technology are expected to grow by 25% annually through 2027

Statistic 7

Companies with robust upskilling initiatives report a 20% reduction in driver turnover

Statistic 8

35% of fleet owners report that reskilling programs have enabled them to operate more efficiently with autonomous vehicles

Statistic 9

50% of trucking firms view upskilling as a strategic priority for the next five years

Statistic 10

70% of trucking companies are considering reskilling their workforce for autonomous vehicle operations by 2030

Statistic 11

Reskilling programs focusing on cybersecurity awareness have seen a 60% increase among logistics companies in the last three years

Statistic 12

The economic benefits of upskilling in trucking include a reduction in accident rates by 12% over a five-year period

Statistic 13

The number of upskilling initiatives tailored specifically for independent owner-operators has increased by 40% in recent years, indicating a focus on smaller fleet operators

Statistic 14

58% of trucking firms plan to expand reskilling efforts abroad to support global supply chain operations

Statistic 15

60% of trucking industry employers plan to increase investment in AI-based training tools within the next two years

Statistic 16

The integration of artificial intelligence in driver training programs is projected to grow by 52% between 2023 and 2026

Statistic 17

65% of professional drivers in the US believe that reskilling opportunities can improve their job security

Statistic 18

52% of trucking firms report difficulty in finding qualified drivers, driving the need for reskilling initiatives

Statistic 19

Investment in digital skills training among trucking companies has increased by 40% over the past three years

Statistic 20

30% of trucking companies have adopted virtual reality (VR) for driver training, indicating technological upskilling trends

Statistic 21

82% of fleet managers consider upskilling essential to meeting future regulatory compliance

Statistic 22

48% of trucking workers believe that reskilling can lead to higher wages

Statistic 23

Over 70% of new truck drivers receive ongoing training in safety procedures within their first year

Statistic 24

45% of trucking companies are exploring reskilling programs to adapt to the rise of sustainable transportation solutions

Statistic 25

55% of drivers feel they need additional upskilling in digital logging and compliance systems

Statistic 26

The global demand for skilled logistics workers is expected to grow by 30% over the next decade

Statistic 27

79% of trucking businesses that invested in driver upskilling reported improved safety records

Statistic 28

The adoption rate of e-learning platforms in trucking has increased by 50% since 2018, indicating a shift toward digital upskilling

Statistic 29

The average time spent on training per driver has increased from 15 hours to 25 hours annually due to upskilling efforts

Statistic 30

82% of trucking companies plan to incorporate data analytics training into their upskilling programs

Statistic 31

There is a 22% increase in certifications related to electric vehicles among trucking industry workers in the past three years

Statistic 32

41% of trucking industry employees believe that ongoing skills development directly correlates with career advancement

Statistic 33

The investment in soft skills training (communication, customer service, etc.) has grown by 45% in the trucking industry

Statistic 34

68% of trucking companies reported difficulties in training younger drivers due to rapid technological changes

Statistic 35

The number of veteran drivers participating in reskilling programs has increased by 35% in the past two years

Statistic 36

60% of drivers see digital literacy skills as essential for their current job functions

Statistic 37

47% of trucking companies intend to train drivers in electric truck maintenance in the next 12 months

Statistic 38

53% of drivers surveyed expressed interest in learning new skills related to sustainability initiatives

Statistic 39

The percentage of trucking firms offering customer service training has increased by 30% over five years, recognizing its importance in freight logistics

Statistic 40

34% of trucking workers are pursuing certifications related to alternative fuel technologies, showing a shift toward green transportation

Statistic 41

80% of trucking companies agree that upskilling is critical to staying competitive in the current supply chain environment

Statistic 42

29% of trucking companies offer formal apprenticeships to attract and reskill new drivers, showcasing new workforce development models

Statistic 43

Over 85% of trucking companies reported increased engagement and motivation among drivers who participated in upskilling programs

Statistic 44

65% of trucking industry HR managers cite technological upskilling as the top priority in their 2023 workforce development strategy

Statistic 45

70% of surveyed trucking companies report that upskilling has helped reduce onboarding time for new drivers by an average of 20%

Statistic 46

53% of truck drivers consider reskilling essential to transitioning into roles in logistics automation

Statistic 47

Investments in mobile-based training modules have increased by 55% among trucking companies, emphasizing the importance of flexible learning formats

Statistic 48

42% of trucking companies now include data security and privacy training as part of their upskilling efforts due to rising cyber threats

Statistic 49

The proportion of trucking companies using gamified training platforms has doubled over five years, from 15% to 30%, to enhance engagement

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Key Highlights

78% of trucking companies have increased investment in employee upskilling programs since 2020
The global logistics industry is projected to spend over $75 billion annually on upskilling and reskilling initiatives by 2025
65% of professional drivers in the US believe that reskilling opportunities can improve their job security
Companies that implement comprehensive upskilling programs see a 15% increase in overall productivity
52% of trucking firms report difficulty in finding qualified drivers, driving the need for reskilling initiatives
Investment in digital skills training among trucking companies has increased by 40% over the past three years
The average age of truck drivers in North America is over 45 years old, emphasizing the need for reskilling younger drivers
30% of trucking companies have adopted virtual reality (VR) for driver training, indicating technological upskilling trends
82% of fleet managers consider upskilling essential to meeting future regulatory compliance
Reskilling programs focusing on electric and autonomous vehicle technology are expected to grow by 25% annually through 2027
48% of trucking workers believe that reskilling can lead to higher wages
Companies with robust upskilling initiatives report a 20% reduction in driver turnover
60% of trucking industry employers plan to increase investment in AI-based training tools within the next two years

With over 78% of trucking companies ramping up investment in employee upskilling since 2020, the industry is racing toward a high-tech, sustainable future fueled by a transformative focus on reskilling drivers and workforce innovation.

Demographics and Workforce Characteristics

The average age of truck drivers in North America is over 45 years old, emphasizing the need for reskilling younger drivers

Demographics and Workforce Characteristics Interpretation

With the average North American truck driver over 45, the industry’s future hinges on effectively reskilling a younger generation to steer the next chapter of freight movement.

Industry Trends and Investment

The global trucking industry’s investment in upskilling technology solutions has surpassed $10 billion in 2023

Industry Trends and Investment Interpretation

With over $10 billion invested in upskilling technology solutions in 2023, the trucking industry is clearly shifting gears from traditional hauling to high-tech highway, steering toward a future where skilled drivers and smarter machines drive success hand in hand.

Reskilling and Upskilling Initiatives

78% of trucking companies have increased investment in employee upskilling programs since 2020
The global logistics industry is projected to spend over $75 billion annually on upskilling and reskilling initiatives by 2025
Companies that implement comprehensive upskilling programs see a 15% increase in overall productivity
Reskilling programs focusing on electric and autonomous vehicle technology are expected to grow by 25% annually through 2027
Companies with robust upskilling initiatives report a 20% reduction in driver turnover
35% of fleet owners report that reskilling programs have enabled them to operate more efficiently with autonomous vehicles
50% of trucking firms view upskilling as a strategic priority for the next five years
70% of trucking companies are considering reskilling their workforce for autonomous vehicle operations by 2030
Reskilling programs focusing on cybersecurity awareness have seen a 60% increase among logistics companies in the last three years
The economic benefits of upskilling in trucking include a reduction in accident rates by 12% over a five-year period
The number of upskilling initiatives tailored specifically for independent owner-operators has increased by 40% in recent years, indicating a focus on smaller fleet operators
58% of trucking firms plan to expand reskilling efforts abroad to support global supply chain operations

Reskilling and Upskilling Initiatives Interpretation

As the trucking industry surges toward automation and innovation, a staggering 78% of companies are investing heavily in upskilling efforts—proving that in this fast lane, staying ahead requires not just new technology, but a workforce ready to navigate the road ahead.

Technology Adoption and Digital Skills

60% of trucking industry employers plan to increase investment in AI-based training tools within the next two years
The integration of artificial intelligence in driver training programs is projected to grow by 52% between 2023 and 2026

Technology Adoption and Digital Skills Interpretation

With 60% of trucking employers set to boost AI-driven training investments and a projected 52% surge in AI integration from 2023 to 2026, the industry is steering toward a future where smart technology fuels safer roads and more skilled drivers—once again proving that in trucking, as in life, it's all about staying ahead of the load.

Workforce Skills and Training

65% of professional drivers in the US believe that reskilling opportunities can improve their job security
52% of trucking firms report difficulty in finding qualified drivers, driving the need for reskilling initiatives
Investment in digital skills training among trucking companies has increased by 40% over the past three years
30% of trucking companies have adopted virtual reality (VR) for driver training, indicating technological upskilling trends
82% of fleet managers consider upskilling essential to meeting future regulatory compliance
48% of trucking workers believe that reskilling can lead to higher wages
Over 70% of new truck drivers receive ongoing training in safety procedures within their first year
45% of trucking companies are exploring reskilling programs to adapt to the rise of sustainable transportation solutions
55% of drivers feel they need additional upskilling in digital logging and compliance systems
The global demand for skilled logistics workers is expected to grow by 30% over the next decade
79% of trucking businesses that invested in driver upskilling reported improved safety records
The adoption rate of e-learning platforms in trucking has increased by 50% since 2018, indicating a shift toward digital upskilling
The average time spent on training per driver has increased from 15 hours to 25 hours annually due to upskilling efforts
82% of trucking companies plan to incorporate data analytics training into their upskilling programs
There is a 22% increase in certifications related to electric vehicles among trucking industry workers in the past three years
41% of trucking industry employees believe that ongoing skills development directly correlates with career advancement
The investment in soft skills training (communication, customer service, etc.) has grown by 45% in the trucking industry
68% of trucking companies reported difficulties in training younger drivers due to rapid technological changes
The number of veteran drivers participating in reskilling programs has increased by 35% in the past two years
60% of drivers see digital literacy skills as essential for their current job functions
47% of trucking companies intend to train drivers in electric truck maintenance in the next 12 months
53% of drivers surveyed expressed interest in learning new skills related to sustainability initiatives
The percentage of trucking firms offering customer service training has increased by 30% over five years, recognizing its importance in freight logistics
34% of trucking workers are pursuing certifications related to alternative fuel technologies, showing a shift toward green transportation
80% of trucking companies agree that upskilling is critical to staying competitive in the current supply chain environment
29% of trucking companies offer formal apprenticeships to attract and reskill new drivers, showcasing new workforce development models
Over 85% of trucking companies reported increased engagement and motivation among drivers who participated in upskilling programs
65% of trucking industry HR managers cite technological upskilling as the top priority in their 2023 workforce development strategy
70% of surveyed trucking companies report that upskilling has helped reduce onboarding time for new drivers by an average of 20%
53% of truck drivers consider reskilling essential to transitioning into roles in logistics automation
Investments in mobile-based training modules have increased by 55% among trucking companies, emphasizing the importance of flexible learning formats
42% of trucking companies now include data security and privacy training as part of their upskilling efforts due to rising cyber threats
The proportion of trucking companies using gamified training platforms has doubled over five years, from 15% to 30%, to enhance engagement

Workforce Skills and Training Interpretation

As the trucking industry accelerates into a digital and sustainable future—where 82% of fleet managers see upskilling as essential and companies boost investment in virtual reality and e-learning—drivers and firms alike recognize that staying skilled isn’t just about safety or compliance but about steering toward job security and competitive advantage in an evolving logistics landscape.