Last week, Wiley Sanders Truck Lines and KW Plastics hosted a career day for students from Pike, Crenshaw, and Coffee County School systems. Experts, including recruiters and industry professionals, shared insights into trucking and manufacturing careers, from logistics, driving, maintenance and dispatching.
Jeffery Bennett, a recruiter for Wiley Sanders, welcomed dozens of students with an insightful presentation on the diverse career opportunities available within the company. From logistics and management to equipment maintenance and driving roles, he highlighted the wide range of paths candidates can pursue. Other employees shared their personal success stories, describing their pathways to the industry, and the importance of their jobs to operations at Wiley Sanders and KW and the industries they serve.
Company president Tres Parker spoke candidly about the value of hard work and commitment, telling students he would love to have them come work for the company someday. He highlighted the supportive family atmosphere and the friendships they could foster there. He encouraged students to work hard after high school to become the best versions of themselves.
He also emphasized that a career in trucking offers more than just a rewarding profession, it’s a vital service to communities like Troy and the entire nation, as evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when the transportation industry played a critical role in keeping the country supplied with essential goods, equipment and resources during a crisis.
Among those representing the industry, was Susan Seymour, a former teacher whose passion for kids and their education enhances her role with the Alabama Trucking Association. She encouraged students to outwork their peers and seize the opportunities at leading companies like Wiley Sanders Truck Lines and KW.
She also shared brochures and swag promoting the Association’s workforce development website, MyTruckingFuture.com, which guides individuals on obtaining a CDL and pursuing a diesel tech degree at local community colleges.
Exposing students to local career opportunities helps them understand the diverse pathways available and the essential roles these industries play in their community. Events like the one hosted by Wiley Sanders and KW Plastics inspire the next generation to pursue rewarding careers while strengthening the local workforce and economy.
