At Melton Truck Lines (CCJ Top 250, No. 84) drivers can take their home time anywhere in the country. That was a big selling point for Zeno B., a Gen Z driver from Texas that joined Melton at 21 years old in May 2021.
“He has been able to see cities he never thought he would be able to. He said he's able to trip plan so he's able to get into different national parks,” Melton Recruiting Manager Delaney Rea said during a TCA webinar this week on changing demographics in trucking where panelists discussed what Gen Z finds appealing about trucking careers, what Gen Z looks for in a job posting that encourages them to apply, and no- or low-cost things that are simple and quick that companies can implement to attract Gen Z – the youngest working generation.
There are currently five generations in the workplace, and for every six retiring Baby Boomers with jobs in skilled trades like truck driving, there are only two workers from younger generations filling those roles.
“As an industry, if we're going to get more people to fill those replacements than say welding or automotive, we're going to really have to draw in Gen Z and really work hard to make a difference in their life through careers in trucking,” said Lindsey Trent, CEO of Next Generation in Trucking Association.
Rea said there were other factors that drew Zeno to Melton, like its training and mentorship programs, advancement opportunities in career and pay and the family-like culture, among other things.