Why We Invested in UTI

 

In the trucking industry, for every 10 baby boomers retiring, there are only 2 new diesel technicians to fill their jobs. While this is highly problematic for the trucking industry, it is even more damaging to the industries that rely heavily on trucks to transport their everyday goods to meet consumers’ daily needs.

 

To put this in perspective, here is what 24 hours would look like if trucks stopped moving—medical supplies would not be delivered, hospitals would run out of basic supplies, service stations would be out of fuel, US Mail and package delivery services would stop, and food shortages would quickly develop.  In reality, industries would not exist without trucks to carry their goods, and trucks cannot continue to move without certified, well-trained diesel technicians.

 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports there will be a demand for 75,200 technicians from 2012 to 2022.  Meanwhile, The Economic Policy Institute’s 2014 Report points out that 8.5 percent of college graduates are unemployed, while 16.8 percent are underemployed.  How is it possible then with unemployment rates so high, that an entire industry is struggling to find professionals to fill open positions?

 

This crisis is widespread, and companies throughout the industry are taking notice. Tri State Truck Center, a Heavy Truck Dealership in Shrewsbury, Mass., has seen the effects of this crisis first hand, “Our Management Team sees it every day, we have diesel technician positions to fill, and nobody to fill them. Our customers cannot afford to have their trucks down, and off the road for too long. Just as our business relies on their business, their business relies on how well, and how quickly we can service their truck, and get them back on the road,” says Kevin Holmes, President and CEO of Tri State Truck Center.

 

So why then, if unemployment is still high, is the trucking industry struggling to find people to fill open positions? Much of this crisis is correlated to the notion that “college is for everyone,” and working with your hands does not lead to a lucrative career path. Anyone in the trucking industry can testify that those theories are very far from the truth. “There are technicians in our shop that are making well over $100,000 annually. Our technicians are hard working, and our company, just like every company across our industry, compensates our technicians for their commitment and dedication to their careers,” says John Paulik, Vice President and General Manager of Tri State Truck Center.

 

Tri State Truck Center is also pioneering how companies in the industry should be reacting to this crisis by sponsoring a classroom at Universal Technical Institute in Norwood, Mass. Tri State strongly believes that in order to get past this crisis; they will need to invest in future generations by educating them on the opportunities available within their industry. “We are starting at UTI. We want to get in front of students, and let them know how important the career path they have chosen really is. We plan on moving into high schools and vocational schools to encourage students to think of other avenues and opportunities when considering their future, and their career paths,” says Holmes.

 

“Students and parents should know that the jobs available in our industry are important good paying jobs that our Nation relies on, these are jobs to be proud of.” Holmes says. Tri State Truck Center will be unveiling their sponsored classroom at 10:30am on March 13 at Universal Technical Institute, 1 Upland Road Norwood, Mass.

 

For more information on Tri State Truck Center, and their efforts to combat the hiring crisis facing the trucking industry contact Brittany Holmes 774-279-2427 or Jil Wonoski 781-820-0050