Recruiting Younger Generation - Drivers

AccountsReceivable@DRC

AccountsReceivable@DRC

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This article below by CCJ is worth the read. It depicts the "younger generation" and their perspective on the transport industry - specifically driving. What they think about transport in general, driving for a living and what they need to even consider it as a viable occupation.

I found it not only disconcerting but was astonished by the lack of information and knowledge these young folk have towards our industry. On the flip side...I really shouldn't be surprised. Most youth today are what I refer to as "deadheads". That gap of 12-18 year olds who hardly talk - have their hands or faces constantly on/in a device and care more about what the Kardashians are up to than watching the 5pm news. Now that is just my generalized 'lump all together' viewpoint and at the same time I do know quite a few "kids" that are the complete opposite of "tuned out". And I find it quite enjoyable to have in depth conversations with these youth to get their take on what the world is all about from their eyes.

But this article focusses on millennials - the ones entering the workforce...to one day replace us. It's pretty scary when we are looking towards this new generation to sustain the industry for the future while their main focus is "gimmie....gimmie....gimmie" then maybe...I'll get in a truck. The upfront payout totally taking precedence over earning a hard day's work, proving yourself and your abilities then advancing your career. They want it all now apparently....no truck...just the "virtual office" job (which "newsflash"...has nothing in it). How virtual can you get?

How the times change...and this article is yet another reminder of that. Enjoy the read - just a warning though...you might shrug your shoulders, sigh out loud...or shake your head a little. I did. And so you should...you've likely earned that reaction - with many years of transport under your belt. The same belt you may have given your "kids" a good swat with...many moons ago....

The Millennial Perspective
 
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Has there ever been a generation that looks back upon the younger generation and says "what a great bunch of kids, smart, hard working and ambitious"? Probably not. I don't disagree with you AccountsRec@DRC, but I don't see this generation being a whole lot different or unique from any previous one. During my youth, I tried to pick employment where the pay was good and often changed employers for that simple reason. The one difference that I see today that makes it more difficult for young people to find meaningful employment, is the lack of jobs, hard work required or not. I'm sure we can all remember the days where you could usually locate a job in a week, find it not to your liking and then move to another one within a few days. There were just more manufacturing, warehousing, etc jobs available and the pay you received didn't get eaten up by the types of rent young folks pay today. That could explain why so many are staying at home longer. In my opinion, it was easier for younger people to enter the work force and get themselves established, 30 - 40 years ago. Regardless of what your take on todays generation is, don't get too worked up about it, as history has shown, things usually work out just fine in spite of their shortcomings.
 
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Our generation (I'm in my early 50s) had fewer options. I entered the workforce in the early 80s, when any kind of job was scarce. Today people have a lot more options. all the trades are aggressively recruiting, and there's a dire shortage of engineers and doctors.

Most 20 somethings probably realize that there are limited long-term opportunities in operating any kind of equipment. Computers and robotics may not replace operators completely over the next couple of decades, but they will surely turn the job into a mindless overseer type job. Being able to row a nonsyncro gearbox is a skill that is nolonger needed. And within 10 years trucks will be able to steer themselves down the four lane. That's all great for productivity, but where does that leave room for intelligent skilled people? Young people are tuned in as much as we are. They too read about "driverless trucks" and decide that perhaps truck driving isn't a long term career choice.
 
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I am with you as I was shaking my head. But before I said anything I had to stop and think. I got into this in the 80's. I thought that there was no better industry to get involved with but as I think now some 30 years later, would I do it again? What surprised me is I honestly don't think I would.

With all the regulations, costs involved, wages, on the road for days or even weeks at a time, custom officers bereating you, shippers and receivers stating you are just a driver go and wait (with no pay) who would really want to get involved in transportation? I have seen this industry go nowhere but down hill over the years and everything is geared to continue the downward spiral.

Now on a good note: I have raised a family, I am putting two kids through University (one in her sixth year of medical and the other in his third year of law) on on the wages from transportation from office to driving to owning my own business. And I have had a wonderful time - met a whole raft of people and very much enjoyed my years in the industry (oh and I do still enjoy it).

To get people into our industry I feel that wages and benefits must be competitive with other companies and home time must become a part of the job (how can you raise a family if you need to be on the road for weeks at a time?) People must treat drivers with the respect that they want to be treated (not call them just a dumb driver.) People need to be informed that they cannot use anything or would have anything that is not moved at least once or many times by a truck. Shut every truck in the country down for two weeks and people we see what real value our drivers are.

Change peoples perception of the industry and they will come.

Just my thoughts, rants and raves.
 
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Freight Broker said:
Our generation (I'm in my early 50s) had fewer options. I entered the workforce in the early 80s, when any kind of job was scarce. Today people have a lot more options. all the trades are aggressively recruiting, and there's a dire shortage of engineers and doctors.

Most 20 somethings probably realize that there are limited long-term opportunities in operating any kind of equipment. Computers and robotics may not replace operators completely over the next couple of decades, but they will surely turn the job into a mindless overseer type job. Being able to row a nonsyncro gearbox is a skill that is nolonger needed. And within 10 years trucks will be able to steer themselves down the four lane. That's all great for productivity, but where does that leave room for intelligent skilled people? Young people are tuned in as much as we are. They too read about "driverless trucks" and decide that perhaps truck driving isn't a long term career choice.
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I heard a stat through another source that in 20 years, robots will be replacing 50% of human jobs. I also heard that 73% of statistics where made up on the spot. ;-)
 
Driverless trucks are coming for sure .... also I believe that the whole way of thinking from a distribution channel point of view is undergoing change. So the skillsets needed as drivers, or in supply chain/logistics in general, is also going to change.
 
Anyone ever see the movie iRobot with Will Smith? Check out the technology in that movie ... everything in there exists today, and most of it is not all that far from production, meaning we'll likely see it in every day use within our lifetimes.
 
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