How do students, young professionals, and veterans get involved in the transportation industry, in general, if they do not have any knowledge that career paths for them exist within?

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If people can't find us, or don't know we exist, then why would we assume they would apply for our jobs?  We have to fix this... And I intend to. Gather 'round, join us. This is where the rail renaissance begins. 

 

As a second generation railroader, I grew up with the sounds of my father's scanner in the background and understanding the proper whistle sequences at crossings, but what about all those that don't have that advantage, that familiarization, that knowledge, that mentor?
 

With experience in both Class I to Short Line railroads and their supplier networks, there is a common trend emerging in our workforce; the need for succession planning. As our experienced employees begin to utilize their well-earned retirements and other industry markets continue to dip into our candidate pools, we need to do something now to take charge of our future. That is why we created SPRING, bringing the sounds of opportunity from within the rail industry to newly perked and listening ears nationwide.

 

SPRING focuses on two main goals; attract talent and retain talent for railroad and rail-related supplier companies. We aim to be the exchange place for candidate and employers alike in our industry.​ These two components go hand in hand.

 

Recruiting and retention paired together with the help of industry partnerships, will further establish and emulate a family-like assimilation process into the industry that all interested candidates can participate within. When we highlight our culture, our ways to bring new talent in, we win. We set the stage for newcomers or experienced ones to join our teams more readily. Then, our industry can finally start successfully recruiting when we have the right structures in place to sustain the next generations and their varying needs and desires.

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We have over 35 colleges, trade schools, veteran organizations, and universities supporting our mission, and we hope you will take advantage of this great stage we are building to put our industry back on the maps as a viable and fruitful career option for all. We want more women, more veterans, more talent to know about our opportunities, therefore we are the leading source for you to promote your job opportunities that has never been done on this scale before for our industry. We welcome you to join us for either recruiting, retention programs, or both. We would be happy to chat with you about your current or future needs. 

 

Did you know that according to the Railroad Retirement Board Annual Railroad Retirement Act and Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act data, the projected retirement eligible population in 2019 was 48.4%?

 

In 2011, the Federal Railroad Administration conducted a Railroad Industry Modal Profile An Outline of the Railroad Industry Workforce Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities. Within this data gathered from labor unions, class Is, short lines, trade associations and other key players in the rail industry, they identified that the increasing age of baby boomers in the active labor force continues to be a major concern nationally. Let's pair this knowledge that we know today for our planning with the future. To overlap these experienced players with our new hires, to retain some of that knowledge is key, but we also must focus on our external branding and ways we are connecting to get people in the doorway. We must act now, and get the next generations to "Know, Like, and Trust" us so that they too will have a long and fruitful career within our teams across this great Nation. 

 

Let's plan ahead for the future, and it all starts here with SPRING. Check out more of our programs and services here on our site, or give me a call. Let's chat about action.​

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Thank you for your support and consideration,

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Michele L. Malski

Founder and President of Succession Planning for Railroads Investing in the Next Generation (SPRING)

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michele@springrecruits.com