NWRA Releases White Paper on Workforce Challenges in Waste and Recycling Industry
Arlington, VA – The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) has released its white paper, “Solutions to the Waste & Recycling Industry’s Growing Driver/Worker Shortage.” The waste and recycling industry has experienced a growing shortage of employees possessing the required technical skills for driving and operating equipment over the past several years.
“The workforce challenges facing our industry existed well before COVID-19,” said NWRA President and CEO Darrell Smith. “It is becoming more difficult to find qualified applicants. This white paper seeks to help identify policies and programs that might help attract more skilled men and women to our industry.”
Within the next five years, the solid waste collection industry will have 14,000 new jobs for collection drivers and helpers, 1,900 new jobs for diesel service technicians and mechanics and 300 new jobs for welders. NWRA supports apprenticeship programs and incentives that help expedite the training and licensure of qualified applicants.
NWRA white papers are issued to NWRA members for their use in advocacy efforts at the local, state and federal levels.
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ABOUT NWRA
The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) represents the private sector waste and recycling services industry. Association members conduct business in all 50 states and include companies that manage waste, recycling and medical waste, equipment manufacturers and distributors, and a variety of other service providers. For more information about NWRA, please visit www.wasterecycling.org.
Contact
Brandon Wright
National Waste & Recycling Association
bwright@wasterecycling.org
202-364-3706
