For Immediate Release
February 26, 2015
Contact: Deborah Sparks, Vice President, Development
(703) 838-1950 or dsparks@truckload.org
Alexandria, Virginia – Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) announced today that Truckload Academy, its education and certification arm, is adding to its suite of educational options a new subscription-based, online learning platform specifically tailored to training professional truck drivers.
Driver Connect, powered by CarriersEdge and KRTS Online Highway, fits the lifestyles of professional drivers, while giving trainers an easy-to-implement educational program. CarriersEdge is the association’s partner in the Best Fleets to Drive For annual survey and contest.
“We are excited to add Driver Connect to Truckload Academy’s offerings so our members and the industry at large have a training solution that utilizes the latest technology,” explained Ron Goode, TCA’s director of education. “With drivers being constantly on the move, it is difficult for company leadership to manage their training needs.”
Prior to launch, the program was piloted by TCA member fleets familiar with online training programs available to the industry. Trent Dye of Paramount Freight Systems considers this program a “must-have” and explained, “The comprehensive, detailed training included some of the best online training materials that we have seen in the transportation industry.” He continued, “The training programs were easy to follow and very interactive for our drivers in the pilot program.”
Many educational offerings focus primarily on the information needed to educate the end-user. The Driver Connect platform adds another layer to the training equation—it considers the learning styles of those taking the courses and provides an interactive learning experience designed to engage the driver.
Drivers can log in from their desktop, mobile device, or through their vehicle’s satellite to choose from a library of courses, including refresher courses. Equally as important, Driver Connect is also designed with the trainer or manager in mind. The interface allows trainers to set up and manage driver accounts, assign courses, and monitor progress. Through advanced reporting tools, managers can run and automate reports, track compliance, analyze trends company wide, and review individual training status. Testing and assessment tools help managers identify where training has been most effective or where additional help is needed. When a driver successfully completes a course, managers can also print certificates.
Carriers interested in the training platform can learn more at www.TruckloadAcademy.org/driver-connect and are invited to sign up for a two-week trial. Attendees at the TCA 77th Annual Convention in Kissimmee, Florida, March 8-11, can stop by the TCA Booth (#915) to talk to an association staff member about the program.
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TCA is the only national trade association whose collective sole focus is the truckload segment of the motor carrier industry. The association represents dry van, refrigerated, flatbed, and intermodal container carriers operating in the 48 contiguous states, as well as Alaska, Mexico, and Canada. Representing operators of more than 200,000 trucks, which collectively produce annual revenue of more than $20 billion, TCA is an organization tailored to specific truckload carrier needs.
Truckload Academy (www.TruckloadAcademy.org) is dedicated to furthering the industry’s education and training opportunities through its On-demand platform (recorded conference sessions, workshops, and webinars), Live Learning events (webinars), Certifications, and Driver Connect.
CarriersEdge empowers fleets to improve their business performance by increasing the quality of their drivers, without the hurdles they have traditionally encountered. The CarriersEdge Software-As-A-Service system combines a library of online training courses, testing and assessment tools, and management reporting to help fleets identify gaps in driver knowledge and close them without disrupting operations or driver home time.
KRTS Transportation Specialists Inc. has been a leading provider of training to the transportation industry since 1989. The KRTS Online Information Highway allows companies and drivers to easily access online training programs and modules helping both drivers and fleets improve their overall safety.
