All industries have experienced in recent years the vast and fast-paced changes in technology. But organizations have been facing another change as Baby Boomers age into retirement to be replaced by a younger working population.
The trucking industry is no exception, especially as the driver shortage is continuously exacerbated by the aging driver population. Employee generational overlap, along with differing cultural life experiences, has ushered in new concepts and expectations of what work should look like.
Trucking company cultures are having to evolve to meet the differing expectations of fresh talent and veteran employees in order to recruit while retaining.
It starts with treating people as individuals, Garth Pitzel, associate vice president of safety and driver development at Bison Transport (CCJ Top 250, No. 50), said during a panel at the Truckload Carriers Association annual convention in Orlando.
“People of my generation want to do things a certain way, and the younger generation [wants to do things] a certain way. If you look at it from a driver perspective, on the development and training, we've always said we have to be able to deliver training specific to the needs of each and every driver,” he said. “I think that applies to the development of our people too. If you can do that correctly, if you give that plan, you can then help yourself or help that leader create that success … I think that's the most important part; that ability to see that in each individual so that you can give them the opportunity to grow and develop and then deliver on that plan.”
Pitzel said he popped into an interview that one of his employees was performing recently and asked the candidate why they want to work for Bison. Their answer was Bison University, the company’s skills development program for its office staff.
“Word on the street is that we develop people so it’s a great retention tool, but it can turn into a great recruiting tool,” said Pitzel, whose company has continuously been recognized by the Truckload Carriers Association’s Best Fleets to Drive For program.
