Business Fleet, September/October 2018

WWW BUSINESSFLEET COM 10 BUSINESS FLEET September October 2018 Recently the driver shortage has become so critical that the American Trucking Association estimated the industry now needs 90000 new drivers a year to keep up with shipping demand Forget about the big picture you probably know the problem all too well from your own hiring needs There are signs that the minimum age to obtain a commercial drivers license CDL may be relaxed which would open a larger talent pool Until then here are some proactive steps you can take today to address the driver shortage problem that might be facing your own company 1 IMPLEMENT AN APPRENTICE PROGRAM There was a time when many blue collar jobs required an apprenticeship under the tutelage of a master craftsman These days not everyone wants or needs to go to college and the vocational jobs geared toward apprenticeships pay well This stepping stone may be growing again The Commercial Vehicle Training Association the largest trade association of truck driving schools recently gained approval to be listed as a registered apprentice program for professional truck drivers You might also consider starting an apprentice program internally One way to start is by sponsoring programs at your local vocational or technical school These programs could be geared to graduate trained drivers once they reach the age of 21 2 HIRE FROM WITHIN What about non driving positions in your company Some of your warehouse employees might like a crack at a driving job but have no training Have one of your qualified drivers give these motivated employees an hour or two of training a week If you consider this training just more dollars and lost time build the expense into your operating cost Support these people and their families and you will have less driver turnover and more loyal employees In house training comes with logistics challenges such as having a safe space to train behind the wheel There are many warehouses and industrial complexes that have substantial parking lots so get creative Consider using a sports facility parking lot when no events are planned Many of these areas are lit at night and striped Of course be sure to ask the owner or landlord for permission first 3 ENCOURAGE WOMEN AND MINORITIES The trucking business is far too malecentric from the drivers and the supervisors to the back office staff Why dont we recruit more women They make just as good drivers as men Recruit where a higher percentage of women and minorities will attend such as job fairs Put up a banner that promotes your companys inclusive hiring practices If a woman or minority mentions a lack of experience say youll train them If theyre intimidated about driving big rigs tell them Well not only train you but well start you out in our apprentice program Tell them they can start on straight trucks and then progress to tractor trailers Make it clear that you will help them to be successful Engaging with female and minority candidates will increase your potential pool of drivers exponentially 4 MOTIVATE YOUR TEAM TO RECRUIT Are you plumbing the depths of the total talent pool available to you A little trust but verify attitude might be applied to your hiring practices and to your HR department Motivate your own human resources personnel and others within your company to recruit from the talent pool Pay your own employees a finders fee for every recruit they bring on board 5 INCREASE COMMUNITY VISIBILITY Perform more company sponsored activities within the communities you serve not just where your offices are located Hold open houses at your terminals Invite the public and throw a barbeque Have your equipment cleaned and presentable Add a banner to your newest tractor that says You could have a career with us and earn fill in the appropriate salary per year to start Treat this like a marketing and sales challenge not a human resources challenge So what am I really recommending Take a more proactive and far reaching approach to the driver shortage problem The talent is out there you just need to enlarge the size of the driver pool BF ABOUT THE AUTHOR Les Smart is president of Smart Fleet Management a small and medium fleet consulting company He can be reached at smart5010@ atlasok com BY LES SMART The current driver shortage calls for a proactive approach to enlarge the size of your potential driver pool PERSONNEL The U S Department of Transportation recently announced a pilot program to permit 18 to 20 yearolds with the U S military equivalent of a CDL to operate large trucks in interstate commerce PHOTO VIA SENIOR AIRMAN HARRY BREXEL U S AIR FORCE Cant Find Qualified Drivers You Have OPTIONS