One of the trucking industry’s biggest problems – the technician shortage – was center stage Wednesday, Sept. 12, during the second technical session at TMC’s 2012 fall meeting in Pittsburgh.
Moderated by David Foster of Southeastern Freight Lines, a six-team panel of technician educators, service managers and fleet maintenance managers gave their thoughts and advice on how to help service locations bring technicians into their business and keep them as employees.
One key, according to the panel, was eliminating the stigma of “grease monkey” when relating to diesel technicians, and letting prospective employees understand the career potential that is available in the heavy-duty trucking industry.
Kevin Tomlinson, director of maintenance for South Shore Transportation Co., said it is common for parents and school counselors to steer students away from technical trades, viewing those jobs as a downgrade over business positions and other careers.
Thomas James, president and chief executive officer of the Truck Renting and Leasing Association, said there are enough jobs available in the heavy-duty trucking technician industry to start pulling talented employees into the business once they realize that stigma is false.
“[Approximately] 40-50 percent of our technicians will retire in the next 15 years,” said James. “Positions are out there.”
