The Truckload Carriers Association’s (TCA) inaugural WorkForce Builders Conference (WFBCON) is being hailed as a great success and TruckRight could not be more pleased to have been a host sponsor of the event.
The first of its kind for the truckload industry, the three-day event featured workshop tracks dedicated to HR, recruitment, retention, and fleet management.
More than 150 representatives from truckload carriers, schools, and industry service providers gathered for this unique opportunity to look beyond traditional human resources strategies and gain fresh ideas.
TruckRight president Dirk Kupar sat on the “Retention Through Engagement” panel at the event with recruitment specialist Kelly Anderson, Debbie Landry – Director of Driver Services for Halvor Lines, Jet Express President Kevin W. Burch and Kupar Enterprises Driver Brian Bertrand as they explored best practices to retaining drivers.
The panel led to a great discussion about ways to retain drivers. Some tips seem simple but go a long way, such as allowing drivers to bring pets with them, noted Landry.
Driver Bertrand noted that mentoring programs and giving drivers the proper information is vital to keeping drivers happy with their fleets.
Company culture is another huge factor in retaining people and culture has to be lived throughout the top management of the company.
“If the owner has total buy in, it goes throughout the whole company,” said Landry.
Added Kupar: “You really need to focus on is your culture and your brand being communicated throughout the person’s life cycle with your company…Are we re-educating the people in the pipeline that are communicating your culture?”
These were just a few of the thousands of conversations held throughout WFBCON that will serve to advance the industry long-term.
A new professional development community was created at the event with the launch of three certificate programs in human resources, recruitment and retention, and insurance risk management.
TCA’s leadership is already discussing ideas for next year’s event. To keep informed of upcoming plans, visit www.GrowYourWorkforce.com and follow @WFBCON on Twitter.