Merry Christmas to all of you in the transportation industry and Happy Boxing Day to those that celebrate as well. We’ve come to 
the end of 2018 and we all can take some time to relax and reflect as we get ready for 2019. As we were exchanging gifts over the Holiday Season it struck me that for some the perfect gift may have been the start on a new career.
I know many of you feel the way I do about the trucking industry in the fact that it has given us so much in the way of experience, opportunities, and friendships. So if the industry has given us so much over a lifetime what a great gift to give to somebody. Now I haven’t fleshed everything out as to how this would work but it may be the answer to a variety of issues. It may make a great gift, it may give people an insight into the industry, and it may help with the recruiting shortage. You’re probably thinking at this point how you would give someone a career?
Here is how I see it working. The trucking industry is intriguing to many people. I talk with people all the time and they say, “ I have always thought about driving those big trucks.” What if we were able to show them? Maybe the schools or carriers can put together gift cards for people that you can buy a person a gift card for a ride in a truck? This way people can go for a ride and get a feel for the trucks and see if that is something they would like to do. Maybe there can be a way of buying someone a course for their licence upgrade or even a full course. Now I know that you can just pay for someone’s course but people won’t do that without a serious commitment. If we can give people a window to peek into our world maybe they may see some of the things that many of us already have seen and experienced.
If you could give someone the gift of a course and they were to take it seriously think of the gift you have given them. You have given them a lifetime of income, a world of opportunities for the future, and friendships that will last forever, tell me what better gift is that? Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and may 2019 be a successful year for everyone.
About the Author
Bruce Outridge has been in the transportation industry for over 30 years. He is an author of the books Driven to Drive and Running By The Mile, and host of The Lead Pedal Podcast. TTSAO also known as the Truck Training Schools Association of Ontario has certified member schools in the truck training vocation ensuring quality entry level drivers enter the transportation industry. To learn more about the TTSAO or to find a certified school in your area visit www.ttsao.com