Why 19-Year-Olds Are Earning $80K in Trucking with Lindsey Trent

In this episode of Beyond the Build: Innovation in Construction, hosts J.P. and Scott are joined by Lindsey Trent, President and Co-founder of the Next Generation in Trucking Association (NGT), to discuss how the industry is attracting younger talent through education, training programs, and career development initiatives.

What You’ll Learn:
• How high school CDL programs are creating early career pathways into trucking and logistics
• Why traditional college paths may not provide the best ROI compared to skilled trades like trucking
• How to build effective partnerships between employers and educational institutions
• Why Gen Z values purpose-driven work and how trucking fulfills this need
• The financial advantages of entering trucking careers early
• How employers can create professional development pathways for drivers under 21

Lindsey Trent is the President and Co-founder of the Next Generation in Trucking Association (NGT), a nonprofit organization dedicated to attracting younger generations to the trucking industry. With a background in business development and customer relations at companies like Ryder Systems and Driving Ambition, she brings valuable expertise in workforce development and recruitment strategies. Under her leadership, NGT has pioneered innovative programs, including high school CDL training curricula and industry-education partnerships, helping bridge the critical gap between today's workforce needs and tomorrow's talent.

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Chapters:
[00:00] Introduction
[02:21] Building Next Gen Trucking From the Ground Up
[05:26] Why the Trucking Workforce Crisis Is Critical
[07:11] College vs. Skilled Trades
[13:33] High School Trucking Programs
[26:34] Financial Literacy and Professionalism
[32:37] Creating Bridge Opportunities for Young Drivers
[36:21] How You Can Support Lindsey’s Mission