Hiring people is tough and, in a time sometimes referred to as the ‘silver tsunami,’ hiring has become more competitive with every passing year. That is why it is so important to focus on improving your fleet’s recruiting and retention plans and soon.
“I have always said that our biggest competition is not within our industry,” says Kim Richardson, President of Transrep Inc., organizer of the National Recruiting and Retention Symposium. “Our biggest competition is every other industry out there. We have to do a better job at promoting our industry and all the great things about it.”
You can address this challenge by attending the 4th Annual National Recruiting and Retention Symposium, which is taking place on April 27, 2023 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Lionhead Golf Club in Brampton, ON. Doing so may make all the difference when it comes to thriving in the ever-changing industry. The event gets started with a networking reception at 5:00 pm on April 26.
The National Recruiting and Retention Symposium is a personal development and industry-building event.
Attendees can expect speakers that touch on diversity and inclusion, the future of recruiting and retention, psychometrics, communication, productivity, and engagement. The symposium will also host a networking event and trade show, with companies and sponsors ready to show what they can bring to the table, including simulation training practices, retention strategies, and more. The symposium also aims at providing a space for collaboration and networking.
“When you take a look at what you see in the agenda, it has not been built by us, it has been built by industry,” says Kim. “Every participant who attends a full-day of education receives a certificate of competency, listing the topics.”
The symposium is also designed for recognizing those who work so hard to increase recruiting and retention in the industry. Annually, Transrep Inc. presents a National Recruiter of the Year award, sponsored by Tenstreet. Nominations come from all over the country and one individual is selected by a group of industry experts.
“It is critical to our industry’s success to celebrate the best of the best,” says Kim.
A recent addition to the conference is the recognition of long-time industry professionals, who have dedicated their careers to transportation and volunteering organisations like TTSAO and PMTC. Historically, the symposium also hosts an auction to raise money for charity, and when it is done, the Recruiter of the Year decides what charity that goes to.
The National Recruiting and Retention Symposium, of course, would not be possible without its amazing sponsors. Transrep Inc. encourages companies to commit to their sponsorships as soon as possible in order to maximize the promotion they will receive sooner on social media, including click-through opportunities.
Kim would also like to encourage those who are considering attending to sign up today. “The panels and the speakers that we have brought together are subject matter experts. They are the best of the best,” he says. “They are not only great people, they work for great companies and they are willing to share.”
An added bonus for members of PMTC, TTSAO, THRSC Atlantic, or Concrete Ontario is that they are eligible for a 15% discount.
Those who attend come from all over Canada and the industry. Every year, the conference organizers chart where attendees are coming from as well as what sector of the industry in which they work. Kim says that they see all types of attendees, including those who work in human resources, recruitment, middle and upper management, industry stakeholders, government, municipality, for-hire, and over-the-road positions. As well, there approximately a 73% return rate for those who have registered in the past.
Attendees can register until five business days before the conference, which is predicted to have a fantastic turnout. Learn more at www.transrep.ca/symposium.
