How a For-Rent Truckload Service Efficiently Assesses Drivers – Fleet Administration

Within the freight cycle of 2018, the large strain on carriers so as to add drivers pressured a for-hire truckload fleet based mostly in Wisconsin to assume critically about how it will discover not simply certified candidates, however drivers who match into the service’s tradition.

“The driving force market was extraordinarily tough at that cut-off date,” says Ben Schill, CEO of Paper Transport. “We have been type of in … the rat race of hiring drivers, after which dropping drivers early in tenure. It was all about recruiting.”

Since 2010, Schill says the corporate has been in “progress mode.” The service has grown from 250 drivers to 950 drivers, with an annual progress price of about 17%. With that type of speedy progress, the battle to recruit after which on-board drivers was snowballing right into a higher problem.

“Orientation courses went from a pair drivers every week to fifteen drivers every week,” Schill defined.

Paper Transport was investing closely into new hires, however wanted a approach to verify they have been investing into those that might uphold the fleet’s values of security, in addition to stick round for the lengthy haul. Paper Transport couldn’t discover something in their very own fleet information that pointed to any change particularly the fleet might make to enhance retention.

Paper Transport: Potential Drivers Should Take a Driver Evaluation

The reply Paper Transport landed on was to implement a driver evaluation to weed out candidates who don’t match the mildew.

JOBehaviors is an evaluation Paper Transport requires all potential drivers (each contemporary to the trade and skilled drivers) to take. The 100-question survey takes about quarter-hour, and asks drivers to numerous questions that give the fleet an thought of the type of driver they’re. The evaluation scores the driving force between one and 5 stars. Drivers who rating above three stars are within the prime 50% of what the fleet considers the “proper” driver for the corporate. The “proper” driver for Paper Transport is a particular person who’ve a want to be part of one thing larger than themselves, has a concentrate on security, maintains professionalism, and has the proper angle with clients and workplace employees.

“It is not saying that these different drivers are unhealthy drivers,” Schill explains of those that rating beneath three stars. “However what it’s saying is these are the drivers that possess the behaviors and values that you really want at Paper Transport, and that that is going to be your higher shot by way of who it’s best to pursue.”

The evaluation has nothing to do with driving abilities. In truth, the entire course of does additionally weed out candidates who’ve a few years of expertise. About 50% of all candidates don’t transfer ahead within the course of. This in flip has narrowed the appliance pool considerably, however Schill says it has solely helped construct a workforce of drivers who stick round.

There’s additionally a 20% non-participation price of candidates who merely don’t take the survey.

“At first that was checked out a significant hurdle, however my perspective was that in case you’re severe concerning the firm you wish to work for, however you’re not going to take a 15-minte survey on the entrance finish… Nicely, then you definately’re most likely not the driving force who will take a 15-minute pre-trip or post-trip inspection of the tools, or take the additional time that’s wanted to do you job professionally. I used to be OK with [losing those otherwise qualified drivers].”