Dec 3, 2012 9:22 AM

The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has launched its latest Truckload Academy offering: an online certificate program for fleet and driver managers. The Highly Effective Fleet Manager, the first academy program to offer a certificate, is a seven-part, online instructional series that focuses on business, leadership, communication, and coaching skills that fleet managers must have to succeed.

This new program is divided into modules covering a variety of topics, including the role of the fleet manager as a business leader and tactics for ensuring top performance from drivers. Participants will develop key leadership and communication skills and will learn how structured coaching and behavioral knowledge can be applied to driver management. The program also outlines best practices that relate specifically to the fleet manager position.

The Highly Effective Fleet Manager can be purchased from the Truckload Academy Live Learning Center at www.truckload.org/LLC. Although anyone can buy the program for $599, TCA members pay only $459. Once purchased, the program can be accessed 24/7 for two years via an Internet connection. Modules are fully interactive, with links that participants can click on for further information and quizzes to help measure comprehension. When finished with the instructional series, fleet managers must pass an online final exam and then will receive a certificate of completion.

The Highly Effective Fleet Manager is the first of two certificate programs TCA has been working on. In spring 2013, it plans to unveil a similar program for recruiters. While both programs will begin as certificate programs, TCA’s goal is to eventually change them into full certification programs, where participants earn a professional designation and must take ongoing continuing education to maintain certification.