Do You Have Issues Recruiting Tow Truck Drivers?

Now that pandemic unemployment benefits are ending, many business owners hope to see more applications flood their inboxes.  However, experts aren’t quite so sure that the additional unemployment benefits were the primary cause of the labor shortage.

Recently, economists and researchers from several top universities, including Harvard and Columbia, published a study comparing labor availability in states that declined to continue the pandemic benefits versus those that kept the extended benefits.  In short, there was little difference between the two.  Michael Stepner, assistant professor from the University of Toronto, concluded the study by saying, “There is a gap in the labor market.  There are lots of open jobs, below-average labor force participation, and yet these open jobs are not being filled.  I think it’s an open question [as to why].  I don’t think any labor economist has a clear explanation.”

A 2019 whitepaper presented by the Towing and Recovery Association of America (TRAA), “Challenges Facing the Towing and Road Services Industry,” outlines hiring issues present long before the pandemic began.  In their report, they said, “Many business owners are finding it difficult to combat the increasing demand for vehicle drivers in rapidly growing industries such as ride-sharing and delivery services.  These resource competitors are offering not only better wages, but also safer working conditions, more flexible hours, and the ability to be your own boss.”

What strategies will help in recruiting tow truck drivers?

The key to getting your share of the available labor pool will depend on two things:  your working environment and your ability to promote your place of employment.

What do employees want in a working environment?

Regardless of age, status, or experience, most workers want the same things from their employer:

1. Consistent salary to meet their basic living expenses plus the ability to save up for extras or the potential to earn more for better performance.
2. Safe working conditions, including safety policies that management supports and equipment designed to protect employees and customers from injury.
3. Flexible working hours to meet the needs of balancing work, family needs, and other personal demands.
4. Supportive and caring bosses who allow employees to do their best without micromanaging, nagging, threatening, or otherwise “making work life miserable.”
5. Access to the best equipment to do their jobs efficiently and the training needed to use it correctly.

How do you promote your place of employment?

Once you have these elements in place, it’s essential to get the word out.  One of your best recruitment sources for recruiting tow truck drivers is encouraging your current employees to refer their friends to work for you.  Many companies provide referral bonuses when employees find applicants who turn out to be good workers.  Other ways to share what makes your company great to work for are participating in college vocational training programs and work fairs, meeting with the local job and labor boards to create train-to-work programs to help new entrants enter the field, and sponsoring or sponsoring participating in community events or volunteer programs.

How can Collins Manufacturing help?

Employees love working with Collins Manufacturing’s Hi-Speed^Ⓡ Dolly and Carrier Dolly systems because they are easy and safe to operate, light to transport, and durable to handle the toughest towing jobs.  By providing our towing solutions for your employees to use, you’ll make their lives easier, and you’ll see their job satisfaction grow.

Collins has been an industry leader in the towing equipment industry for over 45 years.  Our Hi-Speed^Ⓡ Dolly and Carrier Dolly systems provide towing professionals with lightweight solutions durable enough to get even large vehicles out of challenging situations and transport them safely wherever they need to go.  Our products are designed with safety first to keep your employees safe while attaching and moving vehicles.  Visit our website or give us a call to learn more about our products.