The transportation industry relies on drivers to get freight to its destination safely, and dispatchers work behind the scenes to ensure that everything goes according to plan. Without the organization skills of dispatchers, the performance of drivers would decline, customer satisfaction would drop, and things around the office or warehouse would become hectic.
While effective communication skills come in handy when speaking to drivers, other colleagues and customers, there are many other day-to-day tasks that dispatchers are responsible for performing, and these require a high level of organization.
If you’re considering pursuing a dispatching career, read on to learn more about why organization skills are essential to your success.
Dispatch Training Teaches How to Effectively Plan Routes
After a dispatcher checks his or her schedule or receives a call for a delivery, he or she is required to begin the route planning process. During your dispatch training, you will learn that there are many factors to consider when planning routes; therefore, organization skills are an asset.
The first thing to consider is the fastest route. There may be several ways to reach the customer’s location through various roads, but in order to minimize delivery time, save on fuel and make good use of driver time, it’s best to find the quickest way. To plan a route, dispatchers will also check if customers are in close proximity to each other to see if multiple drop-offs can occur in a single trip.
Creating an efficient route requires solid origination skills, since it can involve using mapping software, checking driver schedules, re-organizing delivery times and more.
Dispatch School Grads are Well-Versed in Risk Management
Drivers typically leave for hours, or perhaps days (depending on the company). However, a dispatcher’s tasks are not complete when a driver departs for his or her trip.
Dispatchers double as risk management professionals. This means that they are required to constantly check for updates on anything that could slow or delay delivery times. Dispatchers tend to keep a close watch on weather and traffic conditions as well as accident reports or anything else that may affect the safety of drivers or delay a drop-off.
For instance, if there’s a sudden change in road conditions due to an unforeseen snowstorm, it’s up to a dispatcher to use his or her organization skills to communicate with drivers, customers and management and make necessary arrangements to avoid setbacks.
Pros With Dispatch Training Always Check Driver Logs and Hours of Service
Because of strict regulations, commercial vehicle drivers are required to record their hours and report their activities (both on and off duty) in a log book. For health and safety reasons, there is a set number of service hours for which drivers are permitted to be on the road.
Dispatch schools teach students that when they start assigning deliveries, they should always check a driver’s availabilities, and whether or not he or she has enough hours available in order to make an additional delivery.
By scheduling drivers in this way, dispatchers organize freight routes that are in compliance with regulations, and that ensure that drivers will get enough time on the road without being overworked.
Are you ready to start training for a rewarding career by enrolling in dispatcher courses?
Visit ATC to learn more about our training programs or to speak with an advisor.
