Page 42 - Arkanas Trucking Report Volume 22 Issue 5

mer interns to learn about trucking and a technician curriculum advisory com- about people and how we are separated
how today’s technology makes trucks mittee to bring together maintenance by just a stretch of road.
and their drivers safer in the face of professionals, technician employers and The industry’s biggest people prob-
highway obstacles. educational institutions to establish lem is there’re not enough of them. The
The event was held in conjunc- basic curriculum outcomes for pro- industry fails to attract a healthy work-
tion with the July Safety Management grams around the state so no matter force so often because the public doesn’t
Council meeting. Newton invited where a student earns his education, he know who the hero of the story is.
interns in attendance to ask questions can be confident that he has learned ATA partnered with the Arkansas
they had about the industry before the the skills an employer expects. State Chamber of Commerce to intro-
duce the real truck driver and diesel
technician to Arkansans through a new
workforce campaign.
Be Pro Be Proud combines site vis-
its at schools around the state with a
robust website and a statewide multime-
dia campaign to give students an accu-
rate picture of what it pays — and what it
takes — to work in fields like trucking.
Truck Centers of Arkansas donated
a truck to pull a Be Pro trailer all
“WE HAVE DONE EVERYTHING WE CAN TO HELP around the state. ATA’s partnering
OTHERS FEEL THE SAME FONDNESS FOR TRUCKING funds have contributed to equipping
THAT WE DO, BUT THE REAL CHANGE COMES that trailer with hands-on stations and
videos that show students what profes-
FROM BEING A REAL PERSON, NOT A STEREOTYPE, sional skilled trade looks like. Instead of
INSIDE THE INDUSTRY THAT OUR FRIENDS, FAMILY, greasy wrenches at the diesel technician
NEIGHBORS, LAWMAKERS KNOW AND RESPECT.” station, visitors are met with a shiny
chrome toolbox and a video on the
STEM processes involved in emission-
—SHANNON NEWTON, ATA PRESIDENT controlled engines.
ATA made a significant investment
ride-along demonstrations, prompt- For its next undertaking, the tech- in the campaign and has already begun
ing valuable dialogue with these future nician curriculum advisory committee to see a return on that investment.
political operatives. Two local news is jumpstarting a technician scholarship The 2017 Be Pro Workshop Tour began
stations also took advantage of the ride- to encourage students who share our Jan. 30, 2017.
along demonstrations. love of technology to pursue a career in • To date, the mobile unit has visited
The Maintenance and Technology trucking maintenance. To date, $15,000 97 events this year reaching 7,535
Committee has also been passionate has been raised with an additional ten teachers, students and parents
about the future, by addressing the thousand committed to the scholar- across the state.
technician shortage and improving ship fund. With the help of the MTC’s • There have been over 119 news
the overall image of diesel technicians new committee, ATA will award its first stories totaling nearly $250,000 in
everywhere. scholarships next spring and continue ad value.
In October, the Legislative to project the image that trucking is
Task Force on Workforce Education forward-thinking in regards to technol- • 256 visitors have requested
Excellence, co-chaired by Sen. Jane ogy and the next generation of people information about a career in truck
English (R-North Little Rock) and Rep. who will maintain and operate that driving; 322 visitors are interested
Bruce Cozart (R-Hot Springs) invited technology. in information regarding truck
the Council to an open forum to driving training
discuss ideal technician training pro- WE ARE INVESTED IN PEOPLE • 261 visitors have requested infor-
grams and how industry, educational AND COMMUNITIES mation about a career as a diesel
institutions and government can work Of all the things ATA does and all technician; 303 visitors are interest-
together to achieve a system that meets the stories they share, the most impor- ed in information regarding diesel
real needs. tant is not about machines, or pave- technician training
Last year, the ATA-MTC established ment, or even the freight delivered. It’s

42 Issue 5 2017 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT