There is a lot of talk in trucking about recruiting new workers. A lot of that talk focuses on drivers, and with good reason. Fleets need them. But it’s our hope that the executive order President Donald Trump signed last week to create the National Council for the American Worker will lead to an influx of new talent across the industry’s spectrum — from behind the wheel to behind the scenes.
Officially, the council will focus on job training, apprenticeships and investment. That covers a lot of ground, and attendance at the event bore that out. There was representation from the trucking industry — American Trucking Associations CEO Chris Spear was there along with the group’s chairman and a driver from a well-known for-hire fleet — as well as people on hand from the retail, aerospace, restaurant and construction industries. In addition, several agency leaders from the Trump administration were there along with members of Congress and governors who showed their support.
So what will come of this?
For starters, let’s hope there is a concerted effort among those pledging support to elevate the profile of truck-driving careers. Several of the companies in attendance own and operate trucks, and have an interest in helping make this council a success. If the council succeeds at bringing new talent to the industry, their companies will benefit. Talk about a win-win.
Presidential adviser Ivanka Trump, the president’s daughter, said that technology is a particular area of focus for the initiative, and here, too, lies opportunity for trucking. The industry is as technologically advanced as it has ever been, and needs tech-savvy workers in every area. Drivers need to understand how to operate electronic logging devices and myriad other onboard electronics, while those back in the home office need to understand everything from accounting software to transportation management systems.
And this is just a quick snapshot of what’s here. Who knows what might lie around the corner.
Whatever it is, it will probably be built around data. Fleets are producing more of it, and are increasingly searching for better ways to mine it and use the findings to improve their businesses. Some of that data is coming from ELDs. Some from TMS programs. Some from the trucks themselves. But attracting talent to the industry who understand how to find value in that data will help individual companies — and the industry overall — continue to grow. It’s a laudable goal, and one we support.
