The collaboration is designed to give trucking companies and industry professionals broader access to training programs focused on safety, operations, leadership, recruiting, and long-term business growth. By combining resources from both organizations, the initiative aims to make advanced training more widely available across Nebraska’s freight community.

Expanding Education Opportunities

The partnership introduces a larger catalog of learning programs that were previously available primarily through national channels. Through this arrangement, participants in Nebraska can now access the training library offered by the Truckload Carriers Association along with discounted pricing on many courses.

According to the Nebraska Trucking Association, the collaboration represents a new model for state-level partnerships focused on workforce development.

“The NTA is the first state trucking association to enter an educational partnership with TCA, one that provides even more essential professional development to Nebraska’s trucking community,” NTA said. “NTA members already have access to the Association’s robust training opportunities. Now, through this collaboration, NTA members and non-members alike will gain access to TCA’s professional development program catalog and receive exclusive discount pricing. This initiative ensures that Nebraska’s trucking professionals have the tools they need to lead with safety, efficiency, and innovation.”

Training Designed for Multiple Roles

The educational programs included in the partnership cover several key areas of trucking operations, ranging from small fleet management to executive leadership development.

For companies operating smaller fleets, Small Carrier University (SCU) offers coursework centered on operational efficiency, maintenance practices, and safety performance. The courses are delivered online, allowing participants to complete training from their office or home base.

Safety leadership is another focus of the program lineup. The Fundamentals of Safety Management course series includes seven on-demand classes designed to help both new and experienced safety professionals strengthen their understanding of compliance, risk management, and operational safety strategies.

Leadership development also plays a major role in the expanded training catalog. The Online Leadership Series, scheduled to run from April through September 2026, will include six live virtual sessions along with ten on-demand modules focused on everyday leadership decisions, communication strategies, and team management.

Recruitment and retention challenges are also addressed through the Online Recruitment & Retention Series, which explores hiring strategies and workforce retention practices in an increasingly competitive labor market.

In addition to these structured programs, participants will be able to access a library of more than 175 on-demand webinars covering a wide range of industry topics, including emerging technologies, regulatory issues, and human resources compliance.

Industry Leaders Highlight Workforce Investment

Leaders involved in the partnership say the initiative reflects a growing focus on strengthening the workforce behind trucking operations.

“This is such an exciting time to be part of the NTA,” said Kent Grisham, NTA association president and CEO. “With the construction of our new training center well underway, and now the addition of TCA and NATMI training opportunities, the trucking industry in Nebraska will truly be the safest and most productive in the country.”

The collaboration also reflects a broader effort to make professional development more accessible across the industry.

“Our goal is to make truckload-specific education accessible to every carrier, regardless of size,” said Elizabeth Nicholson, director of education & training, TCA. “By partnering with the NTA, we are strengthening the backbone of the industry by investing directly in its people.”

Registration Now Open

Registration for the professional development programs offered through the Truckload Carriers Association is now open here. The new partnership is expected to expand access to training opportunities while supporting long-term workforce development across the trucking industry.

The post Nebraska Trucking Association Expands Training Access Through New Partnership with Truckload Carriers Association appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The newly created award recognizes transportation professionals who show an exceptional commitment to ongoing education and professional growth. While the honor is aimed at individual achievement, its impact reaches drivers directly by strengthening compliance, safety practices, and carrier operations that affect day-to-day life on the road.

Why This Award Matters to Drivers

Strong HR and compliance leadership plays a direct role in how drivers are recruited, supported, and retained. Policies around onboarding, hours of service, safety programs, and driver communication all begin with educated professionals behind the scenes. TCA created this award to highlight how continued learning improves real-world trucking jobs.

“Education is one of the biggest advantages a career can invest in, especially in HR and compliance, where the details matter,” said Mark Hill, CEO, PCS Software. “Congratulations to Tory McQueen of Parish Transport on earning the TCA Education Award and leading with a real commitment to safer, smarter operations.”

A Year of Heavy Lifting in Education

According to TCA, McQueen completed 130 hours of on-demand education throughout 2025. That level of coursework reflects the same discipline drivers apply to mastering new equipment, regulations, and routes.

Her efforts included earning the full “trifecta” of TCA professional certificates.
TCA Recruitment Certificate
TCA Retention Certificate
TCA Human Resources Certificate

Together, these credentials cover the full driver lifecycle, from hiring and onboarding to long-term retention and compliance. That combination helps carriers build programs that respect drivers’ time, improve communication, and reduce costly turnover.

Recognition from Industry Leadership

“This is the very first year we’re presenting the TCA Education Award, and I couldn’t be more excited about recognizing such a deserving recipient,” said Tracy Rushing, executive director, safety and HR, RE Garrison, and chairperson, TCA’s Retention, Recruitment and Human Resources Committee. “What makes this special is their real commitment to lifelong learning, not just for themselves, but for the people they support every day. When we invest in education, we directly improve the driving job, and that’s exactly what this award is meant to celebrate.”

TCA also emphasized the broader value of McQueen’s achievement, noting that her approach to education provides a model for how carriers can improve operations, driver satisfaction, and workplace culture through structured learning.

Honored at the TCA Annual Convention

McQueen will be formally recognized during the Recruitment, Retention, and HR Committee Meeting on March 1 at the TCA Annual Convention in Orlando, Florida.

For drivers, awards like this signal an industry shift toward better-trained support teams, clearer policies, and stronger carrier leadership. When the people managing compliance and HR invest in education, drivers benefit through safer operations, more consistent standards, and a more professional work environment across the fleet.

Source: The Trucker

The post Tory McQueen Becomes First Recipient of New TCA On-Demand Education Honor appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Freight Recession and Market Volatility

One of the major themes on the agenda is freight market instability. Demand has been sluggish throughout 2025, and carriers have struggled to forecast volumes amid unpredictable swings.

“It’s possible that the stronger freight market seen in the first few months of this year has continued and is resulting in some tightening of the market,” said Avery Vise, vice president of Trucking for FTR Transportation Intelligence, during last year’s WIT Accelerate! Conference.

“To be clear, this is not something that has been reflected in the spot volume or rate data for dry van and refrigerated this year, so this would be an unexpected development,” Vise continued. “On the other hand, May was a strong month for general freight truckload payroll employment, so it’s conceivable that demand for route guide freight finally is outpacing the supply of drivers, leading to a tipping point that is showing up in the spot market. Again, this is possible but would be a new development.”

Eric Starks, chairman of the board at FTR, is scheduled to provide further analysis at the 2025 event.

Labor Shortages and Workforce Engagement

Driver recruitment and retention remain urgent challenges for the industry. Fleets are not only struggling to fill open positions but also working to improve employee engagement through better pay, scheduling flexibility, and professional growth opportunities.

The Women In Trucking Association continues to highlight workforce diversity as part of the solution. According to the 2024–25 WIT Index, women now make up 28% of C-suite executives, 34.5% of company leaders, and nearly 39% in both dispatch and safety roles.

Experts from Stay Metrics (Tenstreet), F|Staff, FreeWorld, People First Consulting, R.E. Garrison, and Holcim Group will lead discussions on recruitment strategies. In addition, several fleets recognized as “Top Companies for Women to Work” — including International, XPO, Schneider National, Daimler Truck North America, and WM — will share case studies on building supportive workplace cultures.

Cargo Theft and Fraud

Security is another high-profile concern. Verisk CargoNet reported that cargo theft incidents rose by 26% in 2024 compared to the previous year, with losses estimated at over $1 billion. Increasingly, criminals are using sophisticated methods, including identity theft, falsified documentation, and fraudulent carrier impersonation.

Representatives from CargoNet, Travelers Inland Marine, DHL Supply Chain, Jarrett, and Highway will present sessions at Accelerate! 2025 focused on strategies to mitigate theft and fraud risks.

Additional Topics

Other conference sessions will cover regulatory and legal issues, emerging technologies in trucking, and driver career satisfaction.

WIT Executive Director Mary Presley emphasized the event’s focus on business value:
“Our event is not solely about entertainment. We strive to provide a well-rounded schedule that includes valuable educational sessions, a B2B Marketplace, and ample networking opportunities—delivering strong return on investment and exceptional value to our sponsors, whose continued support has been instrumental in WIT’s growth over the years.”

Looking Ahead

With freight volatility, workforce pressures, and security threats reshaping the industry, the 2025 Accelerate! The conference aims to provide actionable insights for carriers and suppliers.

More details and registration information are available at WomenInTrucking.org.

Source: The Trucker

Image Source: Women In Trucking

The post Women In Trucking’s 2025 Accelerate Conference to Address Top Industry Challenges appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.