If you want to get a feel for what’s next, go to a trade show. I recently had the pleasure of attending the National Truck Equipment Association’s Work Truck Show in Indianapolis, and it was time well spent. Manning the ASE booth, I had the opportunity to talk with truck service technicians, managers and trainers about everything from what keeps them up at night to the challenges they face every day keeping their fleets running and productive. Listening to their conversations can provide a crystal ball into where the industry is heading. I also had the opportunity to walk around and see some of the latest technology rolling off assembly lines around the world. In both cases, the implications for training managers are legion.

This year’s NTEA show was a record-setter. The exhibits were busy and the educational sessions were full. In fact, the breakfast meeting address by former President George W. Bush was sold out (although I did get to see him arrive from a distance). If a healthy trade show is any indication of how healthy the market is, we’re doing fine. But the real takeaway is the information gathered, and this year there was a lot to carry back.

One of the significant values in spending three days in Indianapolis was the Green Truck Summit, held at the beginning of the Work Truck Show. As you might expect, most of the “what next?” information that was shared centered around not only saving fuel, but alternate fuels, as well. There were the now-common hybrid vehicle displays and applications, but a lot of attention was being paid to electrification. Attendees could test-drive a completely electric delivery truck, as the technology begins showing up on Class 4 and above vehicles. There was also a session on improving aerodynamics to save fuel.

Speaking of fuel, I don’t believe I’ve ever gotten so many questions on the ASE Alternate Fuels test before. There was a lot of talk about CNG and propane, with some describing fuel infrastructures being set up in a few states in the Midwest. Having more CNG fueling stations available along busy truck routes can only increase that fuel use by fleets, and there was even a seminar on finding government funding to help cover your fleet conversion costs. Not that the old, reliable ICE was ignored; information was given on everything from new idle reduction technologies to bio-diesel to general improvements in fuel efficiency for the dominant existing technology.

Along with the usual updates on government regulations and the State of the Industry seminar, there was a very interesting session on millennial and generational differences in the workplace. What does this have to do with training? If you’re going to have an effective training and development program, you’ve got to know your audience.

So for 2012, the crystal ball says to start planning to provide more alternate fuel, hybrid and electrical training. As the focus on reducing fuel costs intensifies, you surely will start seeing this type of technology rolling into the service bay. Keeping your technicians trained and service-ready may get a bit more complicated, but the dividends will be real.