Page 31 - ATR 4 2021 digital

he learned to develop people, made the even mild cases of the virus and can’t several roles, employees at one of the
switch from focusing on tactical tasks do the same jobs they could before, 39 locations that offer on-site driver
each day to focusing on company strat- and extended unemployment aid has training can develop new skills for their
egy. By the time Tim Thorne announced allowed some people who lost their career. The program is called DDP or
his retirement earlier this year, Runser jobs to stay out of the workforce longer. Driver Development Program. “We
had walked in the shoes of employees at Employers in every industry are compet- can have a person who doesn’t have a
every level. ing for talent. CDL come in, start them on the dock
Yet, Runser said ABF has already to learn dock operation. Then we have
RECRUITING FROM MULTIPLE hired over 1,000 drivers and dockwork- our own people who’ve been certified by
PIPELINES ers and added another 200 supervisor our safety department to teach people
Now that he’s here, Runser has roles this year. how to drive. We do an 8-week program
work he wants to accomplish. In the To draw that many drivers, ABF where we’ll start them from scratch.”
short-term, he is focused on continuing has multiple streams of talent. ABF is a From how to use a stick shift,
to keep employees safe, following the union carrier and has a good relation- hook a set of doubles, navigate a turn,
public health situation and CDC guide- ship with its organized workers, offer- employees can get their CDL. This is
lines, providing personal protective ing competitive wages and benefits. helpful for young employees who might
equipment for drivers. For customers, They also partner with the military in start on the dock out of high school,
increasing capacity to meet needs will a program called Teamsters Military but they learn the company and its cul-
require hiring more drivers. Assistance Program (TMAP)to transi- ture, so by the time they are 21 and are
The driver shortage was a top issue tion soldiers to civilian jobs in trucking. eligible to handle interstate commerce,
for executives across the industry even In his retirement, Runser’s predecessor ABF is ready to prepare them for the
before COVID-19 added challenges to Tim Thorne will be working with TMAP next step in their careers.
the labor market. Some older drivers as they train exiting veterans while they With the multiple pipelines to
retired as health risks increased, over are still on base. qualified drivers, the driver shortage is
600,000 Americans died, others have The company also creates their own
developed chronic health issues from drivers. Just like Runser moved through 

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ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 4 2021 31