​OTA’s LEAD Programs Back and Better Than Ever

The OTA successfully kicked-off both of their LEAD programs – the Next Generation Certificate Program, and the OTA-SEEC Leaders Certificate Program through the Schulich School of Business at York University.

The Next Generation Program – which focuses on the core principles of leadership communication – is going into its sixth cohort in partnership with the Humphrey Group. This year’s class has the largest number of registrants ever at 36 – both carriers and suppliers – from all parts of Ontario.

Likewise, the OTA-SEEC program – which is designed for graduates of the Next Generation program – has another 17 individuals taking part this year. The program focuses on the theme of innovation in the workplace, and how to drive an innovative mindset within young leaders in the industry.

Every year the OTA-SEEC program focuses on group projects, which focus on topical issues in the industry. This year’s topics were chosen in collaboration with members of the OTA Board and OTA’s LEAD Committee, and include:

•How will you overcome the ever-changing customer (the Uber/Amazon effect)? In retail, the landscape is changing from bricks and mortar to online shopping. How are you adapting to a changing shipper?

•How do you drive productivity up in your business? What can you do to be efficient in the way you move your freight and satisfy your customers?

•How does trucking the industry transition from diesel vehicles in a carbon regulated future?

See for yourself what recent graduates had to say about the career-changing programs here.

“Investing in the development of your employees fosters a feeling of commitment and inclusion and increases employee engagement,” said Wendell Erb of Erb Transport, OTA Vice-Chair and LEAD committee Board representative. “With over 150 individuals and dozens of companies already taking part in these programs, companies are truly seeing the value of developing their future leaders today, for tomorrow.”