MTA Foundation Launches Youth Engagement Toolkit

The Minnesota Trucking Association Foundation is excited to introduce a new Youth Engagement Toolkit, designed to help our industry connect with the next generation of drivers, mechanics, and trucking professionals.

Building on the success of our Drive the Difference campaign, this initiative takes our outreach a step further by focusing directly on students. While we initially explored working through career counselors, we quickly learned that each school district operates differently—and that students engage best when they can hear directly from someone in the field. Hands-on experiences like sitting in a truck, exploring an engine, or talking with industry professionals resonate far more than brochures or classroom handouts.

That’s where our members come in. Many are already making an impact by attending career fairs, hosting open houses, and speaking at schools, and some have even donated equipment to CDL programs. The Youth Engagement Toolkit was created in partnership with Minnesota Service Cooperatives to make this work easier and more effective. It includes resources, strategies, and practical tips to help connect with students in ways that inspire real interest in trucking careers.

The toolkit is now available at www.mntrucking.org/toolkit, and we’ll be hosting a webinar this September to walk through its features and answer questions.