That shift was part of the focus behind the 2026 Career Catalyst Awards announced by the Next Generation in Trucking Association.

Presented in partnership with The National Transportation Institute and Engine, the awards recognize carriers, private fleets, logistics companies, and training organizations supporting workforce development through mentorship, apprenticeships, school partnerships, leadership development, CDL training support, and employee growth opportunities.

Instead of focusing only on hiring numbers, the awards highlight companies investing in long-term career pathways throughout trucking and transportation.

Why Driver Development Is Becoming a Bigger Industry Conversation

For many new drivers, the hardest part of trucking starts after CDL school ends.

Adjusting to schedules, trip planning, backing, customer expectations, weather, dispatch communication, and life away from home can push drivers out of the industry quickly if support systems are weak during those first months on the road.

That reality is one reason mentorship and onboarding programs are becoming larger talking points throughout trucking.

Association President and Co-Founder Lindsey Trent said the awards were created to recognize companies working to strengthen those career pathways.

“We created the Career Catalyst Awards because there are companies across this industry doing incredible work to invest in people, but many of those efforts are not always seen or recognized,” Trent said. “These awards were designed to spotlight organizations that are building real career pathways, partnering with schools, creating opportunities for young people, and helping position trucking and transportation as a first-choice career field for the next generation workforce.”

Carriers And Transportation Companies Recognized This Year

This year’s Career Catalyst Award recipients included a mix of trucking companies, private fleets, logistics providers, and workforce development organizations across different parts of the industry.

Companies recognized included:

• Advantage Truck Group
• Ancora Training
• Averitt
• Ben E. Keith Foods
• Boyle Transportation
• Covenant Logistics
• Crawford Trucking
• DrivexIQ
• Fastenal
• Fastport
• FedEx Freight
• Garner Trucking Inc.
• Gordon Food Service
• Grand Island Express
• Houff Corporation
• Horizon Freight Lines Inc.
• Ippolito Transportation Inc.
• Kenan Advantage Group
• Keller Trucking
• KL Harring Transportation
• Kohl Wholesale
• Logisticize LTD
• Old Dominion Freight Line Inc.
• Performance Foodservice
• Ralph Moyle, Inc.
• Roehl Transport, Inc.
• Ruan Transportation Management Systems
• TALKE USA Inc.
• Werner Enterprises Inc.
• Xcelente Trucking & Logistics Training Center
• YMX Logistics

As more fleets compete for younger workers entering trucking, programs tied to mentorship, training, and career development are continuing to become a larger part of how companies market themselves to future drivers.

Source: Truckers News

Image source: NGT, Truckers News

The Truck Drivers USA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering industry topics, job trends, and real-world decisions that impact drivers at every stage of their careers. Each article is written to provide clear, accurate information that drivers can use.

Last updated: June 2, 2026

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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

The post NGT Recognizes 16 Fleets with Career Catalyst Awards for Inspiring the Next Generation in Trucking appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.