The transportation industry is vital to the nation’s development and economy as it supports many other important industries. The industry provides a multitude of occupations, and millions of people join its ranks every year. In 2005, about 4,346,700 people worked in the transportation and warehousing industry. And because of sustained growth, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the industry is likely to employ 4,755,900 people by 2014.

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	The U.S. Coast Guard regulates entry, training, and educational requirements for most water transportation occupations.

The transportation industry is global in nature and, in recent years, has adopted advanced technologies to achieve its dual targets of time-specific delivery and electronic cargo tracking.

The major divisions of the transportation industry include:

• air transportation
• water transportation
• rail transportation
• truck transportation and warehousing
• transit and ground-passenger transportation
• sightseeing transportation

Eligibility and Skills

Air transportation: While some positions in air transportation require extensive specialized training, having a high school education suffices for many jobs in the air transportation industry. However, candidates aspiring to become mechanics or pilots need to be trained by one of 200 trade schools certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Water transportation: The U.S. Coast Guard regulates entry, training, and educational requirements for most water transportation occupations. The Coast Guard issues merchant mariner's licenses for many water transportation jobs. It also issues various other licenses to trained officers and operators of vessels. For higher-level deckhands and unlicensed engineers, health certificates are required. Oceangoing ships typically employ merchant mariners, who often spend several months onboard.

Railroad transportation: Applicants must have a high school diploma or its equivalent. As stamina is required to perform well in entry-level railroad jobs, employers require candidates to clear physical fitness tests as well as drug and alcohol screenings. They also perform background checks. The working conditions are not easy to handle, as many workers spend 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on the job. Often, weekends and time off for holidays simply don't exist for them. The minimum age requirement for entry-level conductors and locomotive engineers is 21 years. For engineer positions, employers always prefer experienced candidates. Workers in the railroad transportation sector usually start out as yard laborers. Employment in this segment is on the decline, and competition for jobs continues to be tough.

Truck transportation and warehousing: Most jobs in truck transportation and warehousing require a high school education. Truck drivers usually must be 21 years old and must have at least 20/40 vision, good hearing, and the ability to read and speak English. To be eligible for a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), candidates aspiring to be truck drivers must pass a written test and a skills test applicable to the vehicle they will be driving. The CDL is a must for those who will be operating large trucks. Many enter the profession after attending training schools. This sector offers a large number of job openings.

Transit and ground-passenger transportation: Courtesy and strong customer service skills are necessary for bus drivers. To become drivers of commercial motor vehicles, candidates must possess CDLs from the states where they will be working. Although many qualify for technician and mechanic jobs through years of on-the-job training, employers prefer to hire candidates who trained at vocational colleges or institutes. In addition to technical skills, such institutes help transit professionals develop communication and customer service skills.

Sightseeing transportation and support activities: Most airplane mechanics working in this sector have acquired two to four years' training from FAA-certified trade schools because they must be able to diagnose and solve complex mechanical problems. For those who wish to work in customer service, a high school diploma or its equivalent is required. Strong interpersonal communication skills are important for good performance in sightseeing transportation.

On the net:

U.S. Department of Labor: Transportation
www.doleta.gov/BRG/Indprof/Transportation_profile.cfm

Transportation Careers, Jobs, and Employment Information
www.careeroverview.com/transportation-careers.html

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