As the trucking industry continues to look for skilled technicians and support professionals, events like Trades and Tech Night are helping introduce students to careers that keep trucks moving.
The recent event, hosted by the Worcester Railers in partnership with Advantage Truck Group, brought nearly 200 students from Massachusetts career and technical education high schools and post-secondary programs together to explore opportunities in diesel technology and other skilled trades.
Held Jan. 30 at the DCU Center in Shrewsbury before a Railers hockey game, the career fair connected students with more than a dozen organizations offering internships, apprenticeships, and full-time roles across transportation manufacturing, building trades, utilities, waste management, and heavy-duty trucking.
Building the Talent Pipeline for Trucking
For fleets and dealerships, events like this are more than community outreach. They are part of a long-term strategy to address the ongoing demand for qualified technicians and skilled professionals in the heavy-duty sector.
“As the heavy-duty trucking industry faces an ongoing need for skilled professionals, events like ‘Trades and Tech Night’ allow us to inform students about career opportunities and build our talent pipeline,” said Kevin Holmes, president and CEO of Advantage Truck Group.
With modern trucks becoming more technology-driven, the need for trained diesel technicians and service personnel continues to grow alongside driver demand.
From the Classroom to the Shop Floor
Students attending the event had the chance to participate in hands-on demonstrations and speak directly with employers. For some, the connection was already in motion.
“I’ll be starting an internship soon, so when ATG visited my school to tell us about their job opportunities and paid training programs, I knew I had to come to this event to ask questions and learn more,” said Mark Asamoah, a junior in the Diesel Technology program at South High Community School in Worcester. “It seems like a great company and what I’m looking for.”
Advantage Truck Group offers paid internships and apprenticeships that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Participants can earn professional credentials while their wages increase as their skill levels grow.
Career Options Beyond the Driver’s Seat
While many students focus on diesel technician roles, career pathways extend further into areas such as service advising, warehouse management, inside parts sales, and parts delivery driving.
For truck drivers already in the industry, these roles represent potential next steps later in their careers. For students entering the workforce, they offer alternatives that keep them connected to trucking without being behind the wheel.
The Trades and Tech Night event underscored how advanced tools and evolving vehicle technology are shaping skilled trade careers, particularly in heavy-duty transportation.
As fleets continue investing in equipment and infrastructure, the demand for trained technicians and support staff remains steady. Events that connect students directly with employers help strengthen the workforce that supports America’s supply chain from the shop floor to the highway.
Source: The Trucker
