The trucking industry is entering a new era, and the Next Generation in Trucking Association (NGT) is at the forefront with its 2025 Career Catalyst Awards. This prestigious recognition celebrates 16 fleets’ groundbreaking initiatives to attract Millennials and Gen Z to the trucking workforce.
Addressing a Critical Need
As NGT President and Co-founder Lindsey Trent explains, engaging younger generations is essential to the future of trucking. “These award winners are tackling one of the industry’s most pressing challenges,” Trent said. “They’re leading the way in demonstrating how to build career paths that young people not only want to begin but stay in.”
Honoring Innovation
The inaugural Career Catalyst Awards, sponsored by The National Transportation Institute, highlight fleets redefining recruitment and retention strategies. These forward-thinking companies have implemented initiatives such as offering CDL and diesel mechanic training, providing career advancement opportunities, and leveraging technology to make roles more efficient and appealing.
2025 Career Catalyst Award Winners:
- Alaska West Express
- Averitt
- Ben E. Keith Foods
- Boyd CAT
- Cal Valley Trucking
- Christenson Transportation
- Garner Trucking
- Ginsberg’s Foods
- Keller Trucking
- Kenan Advantage Group
- Key Oil
- Old Dominion Freight Lines
- Performance Food Service
- Republic Services
- Ryder System
- Upper Lake Foods
Building the Pipeline for Future Talent
Efforts by Career Catalyst Award winners include outreach programs such as high school and community college partnerships to launch CDL training, host student tours, and promote leadership development. “It’s about meeting young people where they are,” Trent emphasized. “Technology, advancement opportunities, and creating a vision for a long-term career are critical to engaging this demographic.”
Next Gen Trucking’s founder, Dave Dein, actively works to advance these efforts. “High schoolers are hungry for alternatives to traditional career paths,” he noted. “These awards highlight companies that provide those very opportunities, showing there’s a meaningful future in trucking.”
The Urgency of Youth Engagement
“Nearly half of today’s workforce is made up of Millennials, but they only account for 20% of the trucking industry,” said Leah Shaver, CEO of NTI and NGT board member. “It’s crucial to attract younger talent. The fleets recognized this year prove we can succeed in this effort.”
What’s Next for NGT?
Founded in 2021, NGT has partnered with schools and colleges nationwide to launch CDL programs for young adults. The organization aspires to cement trucking as “the career choice” for future generations by showcasing the importance of trucking and delivering on career promises.
For more details about the Career Catalyst Awards and NGT’s initiatives, visit nextgentrucking.org.
Source: The Trucker
