Your Career As a Transportation Operations Specialists

Whether you are considering a new career in trucking, or looking to take your transportation operations industry experience in a new direction, training in transportation operations will provide you with loads of career opportunities in a fast-paced, knowledge-driven trucking field.

Transportation operations training will help you develop the skills needed for careers as a Dispatcher, Safety Administrator, Log Auditor, Fleet Manager, Maintenance Administrator and Driver Manager in the Transportation Industry.The best Transportation Operations training programs will prepare individuals for these careers by covering the following topics and area of study:

Transportation Operations Foundations - trucking terminology, the nature of shipping conditions, the historical and social importance of transportation operations in specific countries or areas, transportation legislation and regulations
Safety & Compliance - operational efficiency through employee safety and driver retention while trucking and in the office, due diligence, risk management, workplace safety and compliance, legislation and regulations
Fleet Maintenance & Administration - proper use of equipment used in trucking, preventative maintenance scheduling, inventory control, coordinating repairs and inspections, analyzing reports and effective communication skills
Dispatch, Driver Management & Operations - customs regulations, load planning, trip planning, customer relations, and how to increase trucking company profits

The automotive and transportation industries are leaders in technological advancement. Understanding how the trucking industry uses technology to manage its operations will be critical to your career success. That's why Transportation Operations students often spend a large amount of time working in computer labs, learning leading transportation management software packages.

Standard industry software includes:

PC Miler - perhaps one of the most extensive mapping tools used in the trucking industry today, PC Miler compiles complex routes with multiple drop points, inserts border crossings, and calculates trip times.
Satellite Systems - a sophisticated communications package that pinpoints the location of a truck or trailer in order to track status of deliveries and equipment.
LoadLink - an Internet-based software package used to locate inbound and outbound loads, allowing trucking companies to make better use of their driver's time.
International Registration Workbook - different workbooks provided by different Ministries of Transportation around the world. These are used to register trucking fleets to operate in a variety of regions/states.
Fleet Manager Professional - automates and streamlines shipment planning and execution including order entry, dispatch, trip management and reporting, driver and equipment management, fuel tax reporting and more.
Freight Logix - combines truckload, LTL, pick-up and delivery and cartage functionalities. Integrates transportation and freight activities including GPS, driver communications, document imaging and mileage engines.

Contact CATI today for more information on Transportation Operations training.

Philippe Taza is the founder and CEO of Higher Education Marketing, a leading Web marketing firm. Taza has worked in the Canadian Education market for nearly a decade, specializing in Google Analytics, Education Lead Generation, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Mobile SMS Alerts, Social Media Marketing and Pay Per Click Marketing, among other Web marketing services and tools.

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Is A Truck Driving Career Ideal For You?

You've seen those huge 18-wheeler trucks on the road or passing by your car while you're traveling on a highway. As a driver yourself, you may find that it looks simple and easy to maneuver those large vehicles. But the truth is, it's not as easy as it looks.

So how would you know then if a truck driving job is for you? Some people may think that because they can't find a good job around, they'll just become a truck driver.

But take note that to become a professional truck driver takes a lot of patience as well as the right knowledge and skills. Driving an 18-wheeler truck to far destinations can be tiresome and very challenging. You will have to make a self-assessment first as to how serious you are in entering such a job and if you're ready for the challenges ahead.

You may already be driving a car and other small vehicles but you still need to undergo additional training if you're determined to become a commercial truck driver. The CDL or commercial driver's license course is what you have to obtain first. This is offered at vocational institutions and provides students with sufficient background on managing and repairing a huge truck in particular an 18-wheeler vehicle or a semi. It normally takes three to four weeks to complete the training course.

On the management aspect, students will learn the proper ways of maneuvering a truck such as on a sharp curve and how to take a turn without shifting the load in your truck, among many others. On the repair side, participants will be taught how to fix certain parts of the truck in the event something goes wrong while you're on the road. For instance, you will learn how to replace a tire or inflate it when it has low air pressure or how to fix the starter when your truck won't start.

The requirement for truck drivers to obtain a CDL license to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMVs) began in April 1992. CMVs primarily refer to tractor-trailers which require advanced skills and knowledge. In the U.S., the license is required in order to manage any type of vehicle with a weight rating of 26,000 pounds or more for commercial use.

Testing standards have been developed as well by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for licensing aspiring truck drivers. A written and practical driving test is normally given by the states or an accredited testing facility before they issue a CDL license. A CDL license can also be either Class A or Class B.

On the personal side, you will have to decide if you're physically and emotionally fit for a truck driving job. Physical fitness is necessary because even though you're just sitting down and driving, you should be alert at all times. In short, your hands, eyes, ears and feet are working and should be well coordinated to allow you to drive safely to your destination. In addition, you will be leaving your family behind for days or weeks or even months and this means you'll be on your own most of the time.

So again, think it over many times before making a final decision to pursue a truck driving career.

For great information on CDL schools, visit Truck-School.com

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