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Carriers should consider forming a committee to focus on recruiting the next generation of drivers

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Updated Apr 19, 2023

With the great resignation and the majority of the truck driver population aging toward retirement, attracting young drivers needs to be one of a carrier’s top priorities.

The industry has posed multiple ways to expand opportunities to appeal to younger generations, including adopting technology; introducing diversity and inclusion initiatives; and, among other things, focusing on philanthropic and environmental endeavors as today’s young workers focus more on giving back and sustainability.

To determine where your company needs to dedicate focus, the Next Gen Trucking Association posits creating an internal committee that focuses on awareness initiatives for future workforce needs and reaching the next generation. The organization is helping carriers create what it calls a “Next Gen” committee.

“Forming a company committee can be a useful way to gather input, generate ideas and make decisions on important matters,” Next Gen Trucking Association Co-founder and President Lindsey Trent said in the organization’s recent newsletter.

Trent offered these six steps to help a company form an internal committee:

Define the purpose and scope of the committee. Determine why the committee is being formed and what its responsibilities will be.

Identify potential members: consider who within the company has relevant expertise, skills and perspective to contribute to the committee. You may want to consider including employees from different departments, levels of seniority and backgrounds to ensure a diverse range of viewpoints.