I just realized that I keep bringing up future problems. In the past, I have talked about things that you’ve probably wondered about yourself. Things like, “Where are you going to find your drivers in the future?” Maybe, “Our gas prices keep going up.” Perhaps its equipment, “I can’t find trucks.” Or a customer problem, “Customers expect too much.”
I really feel our next problem will be finding trainers to train the drivers you can’t find. One of the associations in Texas, that has trained towers in Texas every 2 weeks, had a major accident and will be sidelined from not only training, but towing as well. This will hurt the towers of Texas because that trainer was a great trainer.
While in Alabama, I attended a training session. The instructor was the best in the towing industry. So, I was excited because I got to watch this instructor do his ‘thing’ for tow companies that showed up from all over the U.S.
During a break I went to the table of a few young towers and asked what they thought of the class. They paused a moment but said they did not understand half of what the instructor was saying. The class continued, and as I listened to this instructor, I realized the generation gap between the instructor and today’s tower was quite confusing.
There are a variety of training needs to meet the older and younger tower. The training between heavy duty and other means of towing are also different. You have different kinds of trucks that require different types of training. Technology manufactures new trucks that require different types of skills that today’s tower might not be able to adjust to easily.
Electric vehicles require different towing. There are video training programs which don’t include instructions, showing how to tow electric vehicles. Who is training the trainer on these new types of tows? This question is important because some owners of these small tow companies don’t understand what is needed for their drivers.
As new training courses are being developed the trainer must consider the following questions:
- Will I have to travel?
- What will it cost?
- How long should the course be?
- What materials should be taught?
- What students will attend the class?
- Who will pay for the class?
When I ran my company, we did private property only. However, it was hard to find an instructor who really knew towing business that could teach the class. I have not looked to see what is out there today, but there are many things to consider. As we worry about trainers, we must consider who the students might be. I’m not sure the old-time trainers have the patience to work with the new tower. I don’t want to offend the tower of today, but I talked to tow companies who told me the troubles they are having with their drivers. They’re concerned with things like:
- Will they work shifts?
- Will they be on call?
- Will they travel to a class?
- How much will they want to travel?
- Do they really want to learn new techniques?
Let’s talk about the tow companies. Can they afford to lose a driver for a day and the money he could make? Can they afford to send drivers to classes because of the cost it takes to send a driver to training? If the educational materials are good and will teach drivers something new, then the tow company will send drivers. The instructor faces the problem of finding course materials that apply to today’s towing.
Trade shows offer training to an industry, but many times it might only apply to the things for that state. Some of the shows don’t work together for training. They want their trainers to train at their shows only, which hurts the industry. As an industry, we continue not to work with each other. Some tow companies don’t get along with other tow companies, and the industry media doesn’t get along, while some associations don’t like to work with other associations. When I owned my tow company, I was a member of the national association, and I went to them to get help with some testing materials they had for the industry. They told me they are offering it to the other association in the state and would not help me. Towers, until our industry starts working together, we will continue to face problems.
Here’s what training might look like in the future:
- “On-the-job” training. As one tower is performing the tow, another tower will watch and learn. In this case, you must make sure the tower teaching is doing it right and teaches what you want the student tower to learn.
- Powered personalized learning. A trainer will look at the student and identify strengths and weaknesses and create content to meet the learner’s needs. One size fit all does not work anymore.
- Training will be set up like a game where you set up a point system, and reward points and competitive elements that motivate the student. This game approach will establish critical thinking, teamwork, and strategic planning.
- The trainer will have to determine if the student is having trouble focusing or experiencing overload which will require adjustments to the class.
- The material will be set up in small portions so the material can be consumed in short bursts. Training on wheels will allow classes to be held on demand in locations necessary.
- The trainer will have to set up ways to identify if the students are learning anything.
- Some training classes will be set up remotely for the trainer to teach material while a tow is taking place. Training classes can be simulated in an emergency environment where coordination and communications are key.
Editors Note!!
Dan mentioned future needs for this industry. So, let me share with our readers that you have the American Towing & Recovery Institute with Wes Wilburn. He does EV training and does lots of cross-training with Ron Moore, one of the most famous and well-known firefighters in the world. How about John Hawkins and the legendary, Tommy Luciano from Miller Industries? Don’t forget Shane Coleman from ERSCA. They also do EV training and have a train-the-trainer program. Remember, Wreck Master. And, how about Brian Riker, the D.O.T. Guy and his podcast?
Let us not forget the speaker/trainer world-wide for EV products, the one and only Daylan Zartman from Energy Security Agency. Also, from Jerr-dan created for Operators by Operators, we have Jerr-Dan on our podcast. Always great training. We just named a few of the best that will take this industry into the future.
