A psychic I am not but I do have a few predictions I am willing to make for the upcoming year.

1) The Driver Shortage

This is an easy one – the shortage is going to heat up. My pal Ray Haight says there is no shortage. He is partially correct. I think there is no shortage of unqualified drivers trained by shabby fly by night schools who are hired into the industry. Frankly you would be surprised that some really good brand name carriers hire from poorly run schools who do not meet the minimum standard as set out by the government. Folks, don’t put all the blame on the carriers here.  Government needs to enforce the regulations they have put in place. Some have said that the training industry has improved because of a 200 hour standard introduced to the industry a couple of years ago. Believe me, this is so incorrect.  The government has put some schools out of business by raising their bond fees because of poor financial statements. Are you kidding me? Can you imagine? I hope someone hires a lawyer and sues their ass!

For many it has been survival mode in our business for a couple of years and what the people who enforce our standards need to do is climb out of their ivory tower and get out on the streets and enforce their regulations. I will take the time and drive them to my supposed competition and show them how their doing business.

2) TTSAO will improve

The Truck Training School Association is having its feet held to the fire. Industry and associations related to our business are speaking out. They want improvement. I am one of those individuals who is speaking out. I do want to be part of the solution and have expressed all of my concerns to both the TTSAO and government. I took some heat from leadership at the TTSAO over my opinions expressed in an interview by Truck News. I stand by my words and comments and based on the many thank you’s and calls from the industry in support of bringing some of the concerns public, it reinforces to me that I was not the only one with the concerns. I think either the TTSAO will improve and do what industry and membership asks or membership will simply get fed up and look for alternative representation. I hope it improves and I have made my suggestions as have others. As my good pal says-truth and time walk hand in hand.

3) Mandatory Training Standards

Insurance supports it. Carriers support it.  Associations are supporting it. The big question? Who is going to enforce it? Regulation with no teeth is a waste of time and effort. A big hats off to the folks at the Blue Ribbon Task Force for taking on this initiative!  Mark Seymour is the right industry leader to be heading up this team and KRTS will be there when and if called upon.

4) Carriers will Continue to Get Leaner and Meaner

With profit in most cases being granular, trucking company leaders continue to look at ways to shave more expenses. Technology has been our friend but also our foe. Staff is expected to do more for the same money (or less) and we as company leaders have to keep an eye on our staff and be sure we’re not burning them out and strive for black ink. One of the ways companies are saving some dough is by embracing on line training for their professional drivers, behavioural modelling to ensure the company is hiring the proper driver and utilizing social media for recruitment and retention. I predict that there will be a real focus in this area by companies who are serious about improving their business and their bottom line.

I am running out of room, I have many more predictions and opinions about where this industry is heading and what we need to do. Give me a call anytime to chat. I learn so much by people in this industry just by listening.

Have a great 2014!

About the Author

Kim Richardson is a husband, proud dad, friend, loves Caledonia, and is involved in a couple of businesses, KRTS, Transrep, The Rear View Mirror. Currently the Chairman of the Board OTA Allied Trade Division. Executive Director, PTDI and TTSAO. Anyone who knows Kim knows he has been in the industry and transportation runs in his blood. Kim can be reached through his business websites at KRTS Inc, and Transrep Inc, Kim Richardson on Linkedln, krichardson@krway.com