Omnitracs' Road Ahead blog

Hit the Road Running with the Next Generation of Employees

Heidi Sutton - Senior Talent Acquisition Partner, Omnitracs
Heidi Sutton
Senior Talent Acquisition Partner

There are nearly 3.6 million students set to graduate high school this year. Whether they're gearing up to further their education or join the workforce, they're among the first truly digital natives. They've never known life without a smartphone or internet access without a head-ache inducing dial-up. But, this same generation is quick to translate their skills, jumping from screen to screen into hands-on learning experiences.

As the trucking industry looks to welcome its next generation of employees, it's critical to create onboarding and training programs that tap into their unique preferences and set them up for success. As part of our Summer Graduation series, here are a few tips on how to best get your Millennial and Gen Z employees started:

  • Emphasize Mentorship. Millennials and Gen Z are conditioned from an early age to look for consistent feedback. They want to know how they're performing at the moment and are quick to take steps to improve. However, it can be challenging for managers to deliver individual, real-time feedback to each new driver. A good workaround is piloting training programs that partner new drivers with seasoned staff early, so they have an additional resource for insight, perspectives, and tips.
  • Make technology a cornerstone. From more exceptional analytics capabilities to in-rig driver support, technology is fundamentally changing the driver experience. From a collaboration standpoint, technology can help build a community where drivers can share their experiences and learn from each other.
  • Don't overdo it. While Millennials and Gen Z appreciate guidance and resources, they also buck under micromanagement. They prefer to learn by exploring, executing, and asking questions. Give them the space to thrive and carve out their path towards success.

Stay tuned for the next blog in our series, where we'll be exploring the importance of health and wellness programs in attracting the next generation of drivers. In the meantime, catch up on the first part in the series here: https://www.omnitracs.com/blog/recruiting-and-retaining-next-generation….