Time to go back to school.... or something

.  I have decided that the best thing I can do for myself is to use this space to take notes on the things  I need to learn and am learning, so I can keep track of those things in the future.  This whole chapter in my life is very overwhelming for me on an every day basis.  I have come to the realization that no one else has to understand WHY this is overwhelming for me and in what ways it is overwhelming.  None of that matters to anyone else but me and that is quite all right.  I just have to find some ways to cope with the whole thing myself and to find calm in the midst of it all.  I just have to find ways to keep it all to myself, put a smile on my face and pretend everything is a bowl of cherries until I can make it so. That will be much easier for all around me to cope with ME.  

I have very limited experience in the area of hiring and firing.  Personally I have not even been in a job interview for myself in lets see.. over around 20 years.  Yep, a bit rusty I would say. Not to mention, as I tell people, MY degree is in Elementary Education with my major emphasis as Special Ed.  I do not have a business degree, I'm not a mechanic, I'm not proficient in logistics, no experience in HR.  Have I mentioned that I'm barely proficient in turning a computer on and off, much less could I be considered an IT specialist.  Oh yes,  Then there is the 3 inch binder sitting beside me here on the bed titled Fleet Safety Compliance Manual.   Nope, I'm not a safety specialist either. 

So, tonight, here I go.  I am starting my note taking and haphazard education with an article titled Finding & Keeping Drivers. 


According to an American Trucking Assns white paper from last year, the United States currently is facing a shortage of 20,000 to 25,000 drivers in the for-hire truckload market and during the next ten years, could become over 200,000 if something is not done. 

Shortage Could Spread
I.  Currently shortages tend to be long-haul and over the road carriers
II.  Issues causing the problem
     A. relatively low pay
     B.  living on the road challenges
     C.  changes to hours of service
     D.  Changes to compliance, safety accountability program
     E.  industry growth
     F.  retirements and drivers leaving the industry
III.  Needs to fill slots
     A. on average 100,000 new drivers a year
     B.  slow job changes
IV.  Other exacerbating issues
     A. Generous unemployment benefits
     B. larger "underground economy" of tax free part time work
     C. stricter driver hiring criteria relating to health, safety record and substance abuse history
     D.  Intrusion of technology into the cab.  "big brother effect" 
     E.  Aging driver population not being replaced
     F.  Exansion of private smaller fleets
     G.  acute lack of "young blood"
     H.  Revolving door of hiring training and leaving the industry
V.  Solutions
     A.  No industry norm for solution
     B.  Companies who find solutions will win.
     C.  Increasing driver pay.
     D.  Expecting high qualifications
VI.  Changing Mindset. 
     A.  Find and treat quality people above the norm
          1.  Give quality the chance to demonstrate their competence and realiability
          2.  Communicate better with employees respect and value
          3.  Monthly tuition reimbursement payments for tuition loans for quality behavior
VII.  In house Candidates
     A.  SAIA combed its dockworkers o find employees with the right safety mindset and work ethic to start driving.
     B.  Finish training with seasoned drivers after employee goes to local driver training school if available.
     C.  Con-Way established its own truck driving school  
     D.  Investing in new attractive equipment.
VIII.  Driver wellness
     A.  Focusing on a drier health and wellness plan to reduce pour health
     B. Average lifespan of a trucker is 61 years
          1.  sleep apnea,
          2.  high blood pressure
          3.  obesity
     C.  Consider bonus pay for meeting health goals. 
IX.  Consider promotions
     A.  seasoned drivers becoming supervisor, trainer, dispatcher, or recruiter. 
     B.  inform drivers of these possibilities
X.  Summary
     A. recruitment
     B. qualifying, screening and orienting new employees
     C.  transition into the job
     D.  Periodic reviews, accountability and recognition
     E.  True career path