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Thetrucker.com SEPTEMBER 2023 • 19
JOB Resources
Vital role
Trucking industry offers variety of careers in addition to driving
KRIS RUTHERFORD | special correspondent
When many people think of careers in the trucking industry, the first thing that pops into
their minds is the most obvious — truck driver.
However, the industry offers a wealth of other job opportunities, from logistics experts to
fleet managers, safety specialists, office staff and more. One job that is often overlooked is one
that is vital to keeping trucks on the road.
Diesel technicians (or mechanics, if you’re old-school) play a vital role in the nation’s supply
chain — and there is currently a shortage.
Trade jobs are becoming more appealing, especially with college costs soaring and the issue
of student debt has become a political issue.
High school programs across the country are providing resources for students who are interested
in training for a trade. Most of these students are seeking careers touted as “recessionproof.”
The role of diesel technician and mechanic is one of those trades.
Even so, the number of new diesel technicians has failed to keep pace with industry needs.
“College is not for everyone,” said Lucas Subler, president of Ohio-based Classic Carriers. “I
believe that narrative is starting to gain some traction in many areas of the country.”
Subler notes that the cost of college has deterred many high school students from looking at
traditional higher education. The trades, including diesel mechanics, are an attractive alternative.
“The lure of getting kids into trades early on in life and making a great living is starting to
resonate,” he said.
Of course, preparation for a trade, like preparation for college, is something that begins in
high school. Subler lauds schools that are presenting trades programs through creative partnerships.
“Our high school runs an apprenticeship through its Future Farmers of America (FFA) program,”
Subler said. “The FFA finds the kids that are interested in a wide variety of trades and
places them with businesses in our area looking for labor.”
This “Capstone” program allows high school students to attend school part time and work
part time in their chosen trade. The number of hours a student is allowed to leave school to work
is determined by the student’s grade point average; this information is provided to the student’s
work supervisor.
Love’s Travel Stops has presented another alternative to those wishing to become diesel
technicians. Love’s recently celebrated the 300th graduate of its in-house training program,
Love’s Truck Care Academy, a partnership with Speedco. The program, launched in April 2022,
See TECHNICIAN on PAGE 20
iStock Photo
Motor carriers desperately need qualified diesel technicians to ensure trucks and other equipment are in good
working condition.
TRUCKING TIPS
Picking the right time to change jobs can be as important as finding the right carrier
iStock
There are many factors to consider before changing motor carriers, including
the current freight market, benefits, leave time and more.
CLIFF ABBOTT | SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
The trucking industry is known for high driver turnover
rates for a number of reasons.
For one thing, many of the jobs are on the road. There’s
no requirement to show up at a physical location every day,
unless your job is local in nature. For everyone else — namely
over-the-road, or OTR, drivers — the home address is their
home is listed as a “domicile” in carrier records and is simply
an address the driver must be sent to for “home time.”
Because many drivers live in a truck most days and nights,
carriers can be changed at will.
Drivers leave carriers for a variety of reasons. The most
commonly reported ones are compensation, number of miles
and perceived treatment from superiors. Sometimes drivers
don’t have a choice; for instance, a carrier may close or
downsize its fleet, or the driver may involuntarily terminated.
Most of the time, however, the driver makes the decision
to leave. All too often, industry and economic conditions
aren’t a consideration when changing jobs … but they should
be.
Trucking goes through repetitive cycles of boom and bust.
The market is ruled by the principle of supply and demand,
with “demand” being the need for trucks to haul freight and
“supply” being the number of available trucks. When there is
a lot of freight, trucks are in greater demand and shippers are
willing to pay higher rates to get their product moved.
As you would expect, when freight rates rise, carriers
want to haul as much as they can. They buy more trucks
and expand their fleets in order to earn as much revenue as
possible. But at some point the number of trucks exceeds the
amount needed for available freight. Sometimes it’s because
carriers bought too many trucks. Sometimes it’s because
freight levels fell due to recession or other factors. Usually it’s
a combination of both.
The industry is currently in a “downcycle” that is expected
to continue for a few more months. That means rates are low
and truckers are competing for available loads.
How does all this impact the job market? When carriers
are expanding their fleets, they look to hire more drivers.
Some are willing to relax hiring standards by, for example,
See TIPS on PAGE 20