Next Gen Trucking Talk with Lindsey Trent

Why Advisory Boards Matter in Trucking Education with Dave Dein - REAIR

In this re-release of Next Gen Talks, Lindsey Trent sits down with Dave Dein, CDL Coordinator and Instructor at Patterson High School, to discuss the importance of building strong advisory boards for trucking and logistics programs. Dave shares how Patterson High School launched one of the nation’s first high school truck driving programs and explains how meaningful partnerships with industry leaders helped shape the program from the very beginning. Throughout the conversation, Lindsey and Dave discuss how schools and employers can work together to create hands-on learning opportunities, career pathways, mock interviews, field trips, and real workforce connections for students. This episode offers practical insight for educators, administrators, and industry professionals looking to strengthen workforce development efforts and better connect students to careers in trucking and the supply chain. Thank you to our Sponsors!!! https://www.tenstreet.com/ https://www.trimble.com/en https://www.ushertransport.com/ https://www.benekeith.com/ https://www.ancora.com/ https://driverslegalplan.com/ https://www.dottransportation.com/ https://cargotransporters.com/ https://acronaviation.com/driver-training-solutions/ https://www.isaacinstruments.com/ https://www.uti.edu/ The Next Generation in Trucking Association is a non-profit trade association who is engaging and training the next generation of trucking industry professionals by partnering with high schools, community/technical colleges and private schools to connect to and launch training programs around North America. Visit our website:  www.nextgentruckers.org Contact us at:  info@nextgentruckers.org Follow us on socials here: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/nextgentruckers] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nextgentruckers/] Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2EbPLzDIvqFfEkPayWGLCw]LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/nextgentruckers/?viewAsMember=true] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@nextgentruckers]

Making Trucking a First Career Choice with Leah Shaver of NTI

In this episode of NextGen Talks, Lindsey Trent sits down with Leah Shaver, President and CEO of the National Transportation Institute (NTI), to discuss the importance of early talent development and why the trucking industry must begin investing in the next generation workforce now. Together, they explore the purpose behind the Career Catalyst Awards and highlight companies that are creating meaningful career pathways for young people through internships, apprenticeships, work-based learning, and partnerships with schools and communities. Throughout the conversation, Lindsey and Leah discuss the aging workforce within trucking, the challenges of attracting Gen Z talent, and the need to position trucking as a first career choice instead of a last resort. They share real-world examples of companies successfully building “sticky” careers by engaging with local schools, offering mentorship opportunities, supporting workforce development initiatives, and investing in long-term employee growth. The discussion also dives into the importance of communication, workplace culture, volunteerism, family engagement, and creating opportunities for young people to see themselves within the trucking industry. This episode is filled with practical ideas and inspiring examples for employers looking to strengthen their workforce pipeline, improve retention, and build stronger community connections. Whether you are a carrier, private fleet, educator, or industry partner, this conversation offers valuable insight into how trucking companies can invest in people, support future talent, and help create a stronger and more sustainable industry for years to come. https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahbshaver/ https://driverwages.com/ https://driverwages.com/braced-for-impact-2025-sees-a-shift-in-driver-wages-heres-what-changed-what-you-need-to-know-as-the-calendar-flips-and-other-insights-from-2025-your-fleet-can-use-in-2026/ Thank you to our Sponsors!!! Sponsors 1 https://www.performancefoodservice.com/ https://www.descartes.com/home https://www.act1trucking.org/ https://www.xpo.com/ https://driverwages.com/ https://atssimulation.com/ https://www.mjai.com/ https://www.averitt.com/ https://www.dhl.com/us-en/home.html?locale=true https://fusionnow.io/ https://gfs.com/en-us/ https://forklift-simulator.com/ The Next Generation in Trucking Association is a non-profit trade association who is engaging and training the next generation of trucking industry professionals by partnering with high schools, community/technical colleges and private schools to connect to and launch training programs around North America. Visit our website:  www.nextgentruckers.org Contact us at:  info@nextgentruckers.org Follow us on socials here: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/nextgentruckers] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nextgentruckers/] Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2EbPLzDIvqFfEkPayWGLCw]LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/nextgentruckers/?viewAsMember=true] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@nextgentruckers]

The Future of Driver Recruiting: Winning Gen Z with Speed & AI

This episode of NGT Talks features Lindsey Trent interviewing Fran from Double Nickel about how technology—especially AI—is transforming driver recruiting in the trucking industry. Fran explains that recruiting is a critical operational challenge tied directly to revenue, with fleets struggling to quickly connect with qualified drivers while balancing compliance and safety requirements. Double Nickel’s platform helps streamline the entire hiring process, from initial interest to onboarding, by automating repetitive tasks like outreach, screening, and paperwork. This allows recruiters to focus more on building relationships with drivers rather than spending hours on manual work. The conversation also highlights the high cost of hiring drivers, often between $4,000 and $10,000, and how inefficiencies and turnover significantly impact a company’s bottom line. The discussion also explores how expectations are shifting with younger generations entering the workforce. Gen Z candidates expect faster, more digital, and more transparent hiring experiences, and are less willing to complete lengthy applications or share sensitive information upfront. Fran emphasizes the need for trucking companies to modernize their processes, improve their online presence, and meet candidates where they are—often through mobile and digital channels. Looking ahead, AI is expected to level the playing field by giving smaller carriers access to tools that enable faster response times and more efficient recruiting. However, Fran stresses that the industry must also focus on retention, especially during the first 90–120 days, as turnover—not just hiring—is the core issue fleets must address. https://www.getdoublenickel.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/francisco-lopez-roualdes-7aa4b525/?locale=en Thank you to our Sponsors!!! https://www.thekag.com/ https://info.lincolntech-usa.com/ https://www.longhaultrucking.com/ https://www.lytx.com/ https://www.lincolntech.edu/campus/nashville-tn https://www.odfl.com/ https://www.republicservices.com/ https://drive4roehl.com/ https://www.ryder.com/en-us https://truckparkingclub.com/ The Next Generation in Trucking Association is a non-profit trade association who is engaging and training the next generation of trucking industry professionals by partnering with high schools, community/technical colleges and private schools to connect to and launch training programs around North America. Visit our website:  www.nextgentruckers.org Contact us at:  info@nextgentruckers.org Follow us on socials here: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/nextgentruckers] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nextgentruckers/] Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2EbPLzDIvqFfEkPayWGLCw]LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/nextgentruckers/?viewAsMember=true] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@nextgentruckers]

Protecting Your Bottom Line—Understanding Downtime Claims in Trucking (Reair)

In this episode of NGT Talks, Lindsey Trent talks with Kelsea, an attorney who specializes in a unique niche within the trucking industry: helping companies recover lost income, known as downtime claims, after accidents. Kelsea shares how her appreciation for truck drivers began early in life and evolved into a career focused on supporting small businesses and trucking professionals. Through her work, she helps fleets and owner-operators recover not only repair costs, but also the income they lose when their trucks are out of service. Kelsea explains that many trucking companies are unaware they are entitled to these losses, even though downtime can be one of the most financially damaging impacts of an accident—especially for smaller fleets. Her firm operates nationwide and works on a contingency basis, allowing companies to pursue claims without upfront costs. She emphasizes that proving liability and clearly documenting financial losses are essential steps in securing compensation. The conversation also outlines key actions drivers and companies should take following an accident, including securing dash cam footage, documenting the full scene, gathering witness statements, and filing claims with the at-fault party’s insurance. Kelsea stresses that acting quickly and keeping detailed records can make a significant difference in the outcome. Ultimately, her work helps protect trucking businesses and ensures they have the resources to recover and keep moving forward. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelsea-eckert-516a0b3a/ https://www.downtimeclaims.com Thank you to our Sponsors!!! https://www.tenstreet.com/ https://www.trimble.com/en https://www.ushertransport.com/ https://www.benekeith.com/ https://www.ancora.com/ https://driverslegalplan.com/ https://www.dottransportation.com/ https://cargotransporters.com/ https://acronaviation.com/driver-training-solutions/ https://www.isaacinstruments.com/ https://www.uti.edu/ The Next Generation in Trucking Association is a non-profit trade association who is engaging and training the next generation of trucking industry professionals by partnering with high schools, community/technical colleges and private schools to connect to and launch training programs around North America. Visit our website:  www.nextgentruckers.org Contact us at:  info@nextgentruckers.org Follow us on socials here: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/nextgentruckers] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nextgentruckers/] Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2EbPLzDIvqFfEkPayWGLCw]LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/nextgentruckers/?viewAsMember=true] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@nextgentruckers]

Show the Truck, Share the Story: How Associations Can Inspire Future Drivers

In this episode of NGT Talks, Lindsey Trent sits down with John Hausladen, President of the Minnesota Trucking Association, to discuss his 30-year journey in the trucking industry and the people who make it so impactful. John shares how the industry’s strong community ties—often built through family-owned companies—create a powerful culture of service, professionalism, and pride. The conversation explores the workforce challenges facing trucking today, including recruiting quality drivers and technicians, and highlights how introducing people to trucking—often simply by letting them climb into a truck—can change perceptions and spark career interest. John also shares how the Minnesota Trucking Association is tackling workforce development through innovative initiatives like their Youth Engagement Toolkit, career outreach partnerships with schools, and a year-long Next Leader leadership development program that prepares the next generation of industry leaders. Throughout the conversation, Lindsey and John emphasize the importance of investing in people, strengthening connections between education and industry, and creating meaningful experiences that help young people see trucking as a rewarding career path. Together, they reinforce a powerful message: the future of trucking depends on engaging and developing the next generation of talent. https://www.mntrucking.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-hausladen-845a481b/ https://vimeo.com/1109673321 Thank you to our Sponsors!!! https://www.performancefoodservice.com/ https://www.descartes.com/home https://www.act1trucking.org/ https://www.xpo.com/ https://driverwages.com/ https://atssimulation.com/ https://www.mjai.com/ https://www.averitt.com/ https://www.dhl.com/us-en/home.html?locale=true https://fusionnow.io/ https://gfs.com/en-us/ https://forklift-simulator.com/ The Next Generation in Trucking Association is a non-profit trade association who is engaging and training the next generation of trucking industry professionals by partnering with high schools, community/technical colleges and private schools to connect to and launch training programs around North America. Visit our website:  www.nextgentruckers.org Contact us at:  info@nextgentruckers.org Follow us on socials here: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/nextgentruckers] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nextgentruckers/] Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2EbPLzDIvqFfEkPayWGLCw]LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/nextgentruckers/?viewAsMember=true] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@nextgentruckers]