Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/893182
24 PalletCentral • September-October 2017 palletcentral.com WORKFORCE here's no denying the critical need to expand the available workforce in the transportation and logistics industry. The driver shortage, aging workforce, increasing regulation and industry growth have contributed to the perfect storm. The industry can no longer afford to maintain the status quo when it comes to recruiting. Companies with jobs to fill need to broaden their field of view. "If you keep going to the same well for talent, you're going to get the same result," warns Keera Brooks, president and CEO of Sawgrass Logistics and the driving force behind Women In Trucking's (WIT) new Best Practices Guide to Increasing Women Drivers in the Industry. "If you're continually picking off other companies' drivers, for example, it becomes a wage issue. And your customers can't afford that." Instead, Brooks encourages companies to expand their potential talent pool to include women, veterans, older workers, etc. Hiring workers from a variety of backgrounds and work experiences can have a dramatic impact on an organization. Why Widen the Net? "Workforce diversity can provide great value," Brooks explains. "A solid foundation for your own company, a better relationship with customers, increased profitability." "A diverse team delivers better business outcomes," Patrick Pendergast, group director of Talent Acquisition for Ryder System, Inc., agrees. "When every person on a team comes from a different setting, they each have different insights. That pushes the team to deliver their best. There's a tangible business outcome—real ROI." Do the Legwork Educate internal audiences on the importance of diversity. "You've got to work with your hiring managers. Talk about the make up of the team," Pendergast says. "What skill sets are they looking for? What kind of background experience are they lacking? Always be looking for someone with a different experience or a new angle they can bring to the team." Pendergast also suggests establishing partnerships with external organizations like Women In Trucking to stay abreast of best practices. Expanding the Talent Pool: The Value of a Diverse Workforce By Women in Trucking T Photo courtesy of Women In Trucking.