A truck dispatcher is responsible for coordinating the pickup and delivery of various cargo loads between suppliers, drivers and clients. The profession requires effective communication and organizational skills, and many truck dispatchers can even work from their home office.
How to become a truck dispatcher?
Most employers only require a high school diploma, job seekers with additional training have higher chances of success. Another option is to earn an undergraduate degree in transportation, logistics or a related field. Take one step further and complete an internship to gain practical experience.
As a truck dispatcher, you have the option to start your own business or get a job. Either way, it’s essential to have a good understanding of the trucking industry, logistics, route management and load acquisition. Truck dispatchers must also ensure that drivers comply with federal hours of service (HOS) regulations and other legal requirements.
While it’s possible to learn these things through practice, an undergraduate degree will give you better insights.
Associate degree programs take about two years to complete. For this reason, they may not be suitable for those who are juggling multiple jobs or trying to get hired as soon as possible. If that’s your case, look for truck dispatcher training classes online as they require less of a time investment than formal education.
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