Three ways the Best Fleets to Drive For are dealing with the driver shortage

Fleet Manager

May 27, 2015

— James Menzies

TORONTO, Ont. — Being recognized as one of the Top 20 Best Fleets to Drive For in North America doesn’t mean a carrier is completely insulated from the driver shortage.

 

Only 38% of the Top 20 fleets indicated to the program’s administrators that the driver shortage had a “minimal impact” on their operations. That means 62% are affected: 31% say it is limiting their ability to grow; 19% say the driver shortage has a “moderate impact” on their operations; and 13% say it has had a “strong impact.”

The impact of the driver shortage as felt by the Top 20 Best Fleets to Drive For.

So what are the best fleets doing to address the issue? Mark Murrell and Jane Jazrawy of CarriersEdge surveyed more than 80 carriers in the US and Canada that were nominated by their drivers as being among the best for whom to drive. Some of the trends that emerged through this process were shared yesterday during the first in a series of seminars and Webinars on the program.

 

Here are a few examples:

 

Reaching out to women

 

Only 5% of professional drivers in the US are women and the figure is an even more woeful 3% in Canada. This represents a “huge untapped resource,” Jazrawy noted.

 

For the first time this year, she said she’s noticed carriers making a more concerted effort to attract and retain female drivers. Fleets that offer team runs, such as Boyle Transportation, have been the most successful.

 

“When there’s a high percentage of women (drivers within a fleet), they’re almost always teams,” she said, adding 32% of Boyle’s driving force is made up of women.

 

In five of the Top 20 Best Fleets, female drivers account for at least 10% of the driving force. One that stands out is Interstate Distributor, whose driving force is 13% women. Jazrawy said the carrier’s parent company is owned by three sisters who place a strong emphasis on ethics and have made it a point to make women welcome at the company.

 

“They have a code of ethics and it’s important to them in running their business to encourage more women to join the company,” Jazrawy explained. There’s also a women’s group within the company, headed by one of the female owners.

 

Another company that wasn’t among the Top 20, but has had some success attracting women is Con-Way. Jazrawy said it’s the only one she’s seen that has a Web site dedicated specifically to its female drivers. Some carriers, Jazrawy said, target women from the military, as they are accustomed to working in a male-dominated profession and transition well to a career in trucking.

 

Offering continuous learning

 

Half of the Top 20 Best Fleets now offer some form of tuition reimbursement for drivers who would like to pursue an education.

 

“It spiked this year,” said Murrell. “A full 50% of our Best Fleets have formalized programs. We’ve never seen that before. In addition, another 25% have informal programs. They’re not doing full tuition reimbursements but they’re taking advantage of the programs associations offer that allow people to continue their learning, learn new skills and expand their knowledge in different areas. This was a big shift.”

 

One carrier offers $500 tuition reimbursements on approved courses, for example.

“This is very attractive to millenials,” Murrell noted.

 

Boyle Transportation offers a scholarship program that Murrell said is “unlike any other we’ve ever seen.” It pays a $2,000 grant to every driver’s child who’s pursuing a post-secondary education.

 

“There’s no limit on the number of people,” Murrell explained. “Every person who qualifies gets it. If you’re a driver at Boyle and you have two kids going to university, you’re getting $4,000 per year to cover that.”

 

Equipping drivers with technology

 

Some carriers are also using technology to lure drivers and to keep them satisfied. Boyle Transportation gives new hires an iPhone with a company e-mail address. Others give drivers a tablet, pre-loaded with useful apps and programs.

 

“It’s kind of like an electronic flight bag,” Murrell said. “It’s a very interesting idea and I expect to see more of that in the next couple years.”

 

A new trend that emerged this year is the use of EpicVue to attract and retain drivers. It’s a new service – not yet available in Canada – that provides satellite TV inside the truck. Murrell said four of the Best Fleets are offering this to drivers.

 

More of the Best Fleets are also designing custom apps to keep drivers connected while on the road. Last year, only two of the Best Fleets had their own app; that number has climbed to nine this year.

Driver surveys collected through the evaluation process show drivers want to stay connected and like to have WiFi available in their trucks.

 

Check back at Trucknews.com soon for more highlights from the Best Fleets to Drive For Webinar. Or, you can register for free to call in to one of the upcoming Webinars or in-person seminars. Here are the dates:

 
  • May 28 – Webinar
  • June 2 – Toronto, Ont.
  • June 4 – Moncton, N.B.
  • June 10 – Webinar
 

The live seminars will run from 9 a.m. till noon and will include refreshments. The Webinars will go from 1 p.m. till 3:30 p.m. Admission is free but advance registration is required. You can call Thomas at 905-530-2430 or e-mail info@carriersedge.com to register.

 

Original source: http://www.trucknews.com/business-management/three-ways-the-best-fleets-to-drive-for-are-dealing-with-the-driver-shortage/

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Quality truck fleet management with a good strategy is a vital element for success in the trucking industry. These systems are necessary for communication, and processes are sure to succeed. There’s no doubt that the best semi-truck fleet teams are those that are effectively and efficiently managed, making a great fleet manager worth their weight in gold — and then some!  But what is it exactly that makes a fleet manager great? It all comes down to a solid fleet management strategy and reliable semi-fleet processes. In fact, these are essential to finding both short- and long-term success. If you’re in charge of a semi-truck fleet and are looking to build a fail-proof truck fleet management strategy, you’re in the right place. We’re here to give you some tried-and-true tips and tricks for developing a solid plan. With a little hard work and the right strategy, you will surely see increased profits, fleet growth, and a happier, healthier, and more productive crew. Keep scrolling to learn more.

5 Things to Consider When Developing Your Truck Fleet Management Strategy

If you want to develop a quality truck fleet management strategy, make sure to consider the following:
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  2. Find Ways to Cut Maintenance Costs — It’s no secret that the economy is in an exciting place right now. Inflation is on the rise, and maintenance costs are not exempt. A solid semi-truck fleet manager must prioritize finding ways to reduce costs. Taking a defensive, preventive approach to maintenance is key. Improving fleet efficiency and ensuring that your rigs and necessary equipment are in tip-top shape and ready to go can help you stay ahead of maintenance issues. Consider utilizing a good fleet management system that can tell you about the vehicles’ engines and other diagnostic features to help extend the life of your trucks. These tools can help you quickly identify any problems with your trucks and avoid issues down the road when they become more serious, thus cutting maintenance costs. Another way to reduce maintenance costs is to base your trucks’ service schedule on accurate engine usage hours instead of an arbitrary calendar. This helps to eliminate unnecessary repairs and potential hours and revenue lost, allowing you to make the most of your fleet while still taking great care of them.
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  4. Perfect and Optimize Your Drivers’ Routes — Customers and clients demand quick and on-time deliveries, so taking the perfect and optimal route is absolutely crucial. Your business’ reputation counts on it! Inaccurate arrival time estimates, delays, and inefficient routes will only lead to frustration. Hiccups and issues along the way are bound to happen and are an inevitable part of any industry, including trucking. But, by automating customer notifications and other processes, fleet managers can experience a lot less stress, allowing them to spend time and put their focus elsewhere.
  5. Prioritize Your Drivers’ Health and Wellness — One of the biggest parts of developing a good truck fleet management strategy is prioritizing your team’s health and wellness. Feeling isolated on the road comes with being a truck driver; it’s part of the territory. So fleet managers who promote a healthy work-life balance and positive mental health are typically much more successful.

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Developing a truck fleet management strategy is essential to the success of your business, and EpicVue is here to help make it happen. EpicVue will outfit your fleet with premium in-cab television so your drivers can enjoy a bit of home on the road and catch up on their favorite shows. Contact EpicVue today to learn more.