get started in trucking
Careers in Trucking
Truck Driver - Transporting goods and raw materials locally, regionally, and across the country, planning routes, meeting delivery schedules, customer service, and inspecting vehicles for mechanical items and safety issues. Maintaining a safe driving record is vital to being successful in this career. A CDL Class A or B is required, depending on the type of truck. There may also be certifications required to haul certain goods such as hazardous materials.
Interested in a career in trucking?
Check out these brochure!
Diesel Technician
Diagnose, repair and maintain diesel truck engines, including preventative maintenance, repair to air and hydraulic brakes, tires, warranty procedures, drive-train, steering and suspension, electrical, AC, and engine rebuilds. Formal training and/or degree required for most positions.
Trailer Technician
Repairs and maintains trailers, including preventative maintenance, inspections, removing and replacing damaged components, repair to air and hydraulic brakes, repair axles, welding, tires, warranty procedures, and electrical repairs. On the job training available. No formal training/degree required for most positions. This is a great position to start in if you are considering becoming a diesel technician.
Dispatcher/Fleet Manager
Schedule drivers for pickup and delivery of customer goods and materials, review driver logs, coach drivers on fuel efficiency techniques, maintain driver relationships, maintain records pertaining to dispatched calls, vehicle repair, freight bills, and arrival times. A bachelors degree is preferred for this position, but not required.
Safety Director
Oversight of regulatory compliance status, trains and develops staff on safety procedures and policies, coordinates and manages the crash management process, and conducts audits and inspections of the safety program. A bachelors degree and experience as a truck driver or in transportation management are preferred.
Transportation/Operations Manager
Manage organizational risk, budgets, supplier and customer relationships, and logistics, and ensure safety and compliance program is followed across the organization. A bachelors degree is required for this position.
Accountant
Responsible for all accounting, reporting, and analytics of acquisitions, disposals, sales and turn-ins of owned and leased revenue equipment, maintenance shop profit and loss, capital expenditures, budgeting and forecasting. A bachelors degree is required for this position.
Dock Worker
Unload and load cargo from trucks. Some carriers offer Dock to Driver programs, so this is a good place to start if you are thinking about becoming a truck driver.
IT Support / Coder
Provide technical support and training to employees and troubleshoot issues, install hardware and software, write custom code, and maintain equipment inventory. The need for this position will continue to grow as trucking becomes more automated. A bachelors degree is preferred, but not required.
Human Resources Manager
Manage the administration, processes, support of benefits, database, employee services, and employment records. A two or four year degree is required.
Recruiter
Responsible for screening, interviewing, and selecting qualified candidates in all types of trucking positions. A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
Freight Broker (Sales)
Responsible for building relationships with customers, carriers, vendors, and employees. This position negotiates rates, actively sells loads, and tracks the delivery of shipments.
Minnesota Schools & Degree Programs: Trucking & Technicians
Advanced Minnesota (Hibbing Community College) - Hibbing
Alexandria Technical and Community College - Alexandria
Professional Truck Driver (CERT)
Professional Truck Driver B-CDL (CERT)
Central Lakes College - Staples
Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technician (DIPLOMA)
Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technician (AAS)
Dakota County Technical College - Rosemount
Heavy Duty Truck Technology (DIPLOMA)
Heavy Duty Truck Technology (AAS)
Truck Fleet Maintenance (CERT)
Transportation Management (BA) (CERT)
Heavy Metal Truck Training - Eagan
Class A CDL Certificate Program
Hennepin Technical College - Brooklyn Park
Medium Heavy Truck Drivetrain Technician (DIPLOMA)
Medium Heavy Truck Maintenance Technician (DIPLOMA)
Medium Heavy Truck Technology (AAS)
Hibbing Community College - Hibbing
Professional Truck Driver (CERT)
Diesel Mechanics and Heavy Equipment Maintenance (DIPLOMA)
Diesel Mechanics and Heavy Equipment Maintenance (AAS)
Interstate Truck Driving School - Saint Paul
Class A Truck / Trailer Training
Lake Superior College - Duluth
Truck Driving - Advanced (CERT)
Minnesota State College Southeast - Winona
Transportation Management (AAS)
Minnesota State Community & Technical College - Moorhead
Diesel Equipment Technology (DIP)
Diesel Equipment Technology - Truck (AAS)
Minnesota Training Connection (Dakota County Technical College) - Rosemount
Minnesota West Community and Technical College - Canby
Diesel Mechanics - Ag and Truck (DIPLOMA)
Diesel Technician - Ag and Truck (DIPLOMA)
Northland Community and Technical College - East Grand Forks
Commercial Vehicle Operator (CERT)
Rainy River Community College - International Falls
Commercial Truck Driving (CERT)
Riverland Community College - Albert Lea
Riverland Community College - Austin
St. Cloud Technical & Community College - St. Cloud
Medium/Heavy Truck Technician (DIPLOMA)
Medium/Heavy Truck Technician (AAS)
St. Paul College - St. Paul
Workforce Development Solutions (Minnesota State Community and Technical College)
MNTCOE Transportation Careers Trailer
The Minnesota State Transportation Center of Excellence has a traveling transportation careers trailer that provides interactive and hands-on activities that lets students explore the high tech side of transportation careers. The trailer is available to travel to high schools like a mobile classroom or is available for career events where it will be parked for the duration of the event. Click Here for the Trailer Schedule and to learn more about what's inside.
