By Al Muskewitz
 
When a trucking company shutters its operation like Celadon did earlier this week the fallout leaves a lot more than drivers scrambling to define their next step.
 
The closure impacts diesel mechanics, yard jockeys, dispatchers and office staff. The Celadon closure reportedly impacted some 1,300 administrative employees throughout the company. It has been reported there is a large number of displaced non-driver employees at the company’s Rainbow City, Ala., location that will be looking for work during the holiday season.
 
Groups like Teddy’s Trucker’s Association are trying to offer support.
 
In the immediate aftermath, surviving trucking companies have taken to various social media platforms to offer opportunities to drivers who suddenly find themselves off the road, in some places unable to get back home, and no place to go when they get there.
 
The company has made efforts to get final paychecks to their 4,000 employees. Some of the luckier drivers have reported to sign on with new carriers, but many other employees throughout the network are still displaced and shouldn't be forgotten.
 
“In good times we talk about the need for all these jobs,” Alabama Trucking Association president Mark Colson said. “So in challenging times, be it when the economy turns south or when there are challenges with particular companies, not only is it the truck driver, but it’s all the ‘truckers’ who have challenges.
 
“In good times we’re out recruiting drivers, diesel techs, diesel mechanics, HR professionals, fleet managers, etcetera, and when something challenging happens, those people need to be front and center as well. The drivers are super important, but we don’t need to forget about the other folks. We need to look out for all truckers in good times and challenging times.”
 
Some segments of the workforce might have an easier time landing on their feet than others. There’s always a need for skilled, certified and talented workers and there are several positions collected in the Celadon shutdown that come high degrees of certification.
 
“If you’re a skilled diesel tech or diesel mechanic you’re going to find a job in this economy,” Colson said. “You should be able to find work because people are still hiring, there are positions available, that’s the reality.
 
“One of the things people say to me is we don’t need more diesel techs and diesel mechanics or we don’t have a shortage of diesel techs, diesel mechanics and drivers, we have a shortage of qualified people. This is why it’s so important for skilled credentials and people with those types of designations typically fare better in challenging times because they have documented credentials along with their job experience.”
 
Al Muskewitz is Editor-in-Chief of Wright Media Corp.