Lionzone

Many industry professionals believe that the problem of “too few” techs is actually a problem of “too few QUALIFIED” technicians. For some, the issue is that not enough high schools and community colleges invest in the right tools to show potential truck technicians the ropes of the job. The equipment being used in schools is already “museum-quality,” with some of the parts used as educational tools being over thirty years old; needless to say, the technology being shown to students is already outdated and won’t help them achieve any real world experience. Many schools also either can’t afford trucks or parts to train with, or don’t have the experience to buy the correct, up-to-date equipment. With electrical systems being more intricate now than ever before, the training for these integral pieces must evolve alongside the actual equipment, and many professionals in trucking do not believe that this has happened in the schools and training facilities educating the newest techs today.

The largest generation at work in America today is the millennial generation. At the beginning of 2023, they make up around 35% of the entire workforce. The generation’s reputation, though, has not always been stellar. Millennials have been called everything from “lazy” to “self-obsessed” to “over-educated” to “entitled.” Just ten years ago, Time Magazine’s cover story for May was about how millennials are the “Me, Me, Me” generation, a stereotype that has been pervasive, even if not wholly accurate. However, those that once scoffed at and demeaned the work ethic of millennials are now finding that they desperately need them to either fill open positions in their company, or simply stay in the jobs they currently have. Every recruiter knows how expensive it is to replace a lost employee in this day and age, so learning how to please millennials has become a hot trend.

Non-farm payrolls grew by 253,000 in April, an increase after March’s 236,000 Non-farm payrolls added. Unemployment decreased slightly to 3.4%, while the labor force participation rate stayed the same at 62.6%. Unemployment has maintained a steady range of 3.4% to 3.7% since March of 2022.

The metaverse, according to thetalentgames.com, is defined as a “collective virtual shared space.” Incorporating “augmented reality” (AR) with “virtual reality” (VR), and adding sound, the Metaverse provides a more immersive experience for people. According to Hays, the first recruitment organization to claim to have entered the Metaverse to show its effectiveness at recruiting, it is “a virtual world where people can be present through individual avatars,” and they say it is here to replace the outdated notion that people need to be in an office for face-to-face interactions.

Organizations like Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) and NATSO (formerly known as the National Association of Truck Stop Operators) have been taking a stand against human trafficking, spending a great deal of time and money to train truck drivers to recognize the signs of this heinous crime. While there are still miles to go, TAT has said that, as of 2020, they have sent out field trainers and explained human trafficking to over a million people, including truck drivers, law enforcement officials, and members of the bus industry. NATSO offers free, online training courses and has been designing and providing training posters on how to understand the different state laws combatting human trafficking. Both of these groups indicate that truck drivers make the best eyes and ears for spotting and reporting potential trafficking victims.