5 Professional Development Resources for Utility Fleet Managers

True fleet leadership requires more than keeping vehicles and equipment running. Successful leaders have vision, are adaptable, deeply understand people – and they continually seek growth opportunities to refine their existing skills and learn new ones. Fortunately, the industry is rife with accessible resources to aid fleet professionals in their leadership journeys. Here are five to consider.

1. Certification Programs
Fleet professionals can earn certifications based on their ability to master core fleet management competencies and demonstrate proficiency in various aspects of fleet operations.

Among the organizations that offer fleet-specific credentials is NAFA Fleet Management Association (www.nafa.org/certification/), which administers the Certified Automotive Fleet Manager (CAFM) program, intended for fleet leaders, managers and aspiring directors. Industry professionals can also earn numerous discipline certificates through the organization.

According to Ross Jackson Jr., CAFM, a NAFA member and fleet operations superintendent for the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas’ Department of Public Works, “NAFA’s CAFM program is all-inclusive to fleet. You don’t just get government fleet training; you also gain access to an understanding of how private fleets do their jobs well.”

Public sector fleet leaders can become Certified Public Fleet Professionals through the credentialing program delivered by the American Public Works Association (www.apwa.org/education-careers/certification/). The Association of Equipment Management Professionals offers the Certified Equipment Manager program to individuals who manage heavy off-road equipment fleets, municipal fleets and government fleets (https://aemp.org/page/certifications). And by successfully completing the NIGP: The Institute for Public Procurement program, fleet professionals earn the Certified Procurement Professional credential (www.nigp.org/certification/why-the-nigp-cpp).

Becoming a member of professional organizations such as NAFA, the American Public Works Association, the Association of Equipment Management Professionals and NIGP also has its perks. In particular, fleet leaders gain access to a large community of industry professionals, educational opportunities and other relevant resources.

2. Industry-Related Conferences
Fleet-specific conferences produced by industry organizations include NTEA’s Work Truck Week; the Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference; NAFA’s Institute & Expo; the Sustainable Fleet Technology Conference; the Government Fleet Expo & Conference; PWX, produced by the American Public Works Association; and the Fleet Forward Conference.

Jackson said attending these and other similar events is essential for leaders seeking continuous growth. “You just have to make the choice to do it. You should never stop learning.”

3. Online Media Offerings
Professional development opportunities for today’s fleet leaders don’t necessarily require travel – just a reliable internet connection to listen to podcasts, attend webinars and search for other online resources.

In a recent interview, Dave Persad, CAFM, CEM, recommended listening to RTA’s “The Fleet Success Show” (https://rtafleet.com/podcast), a podcast described as “dedicated to talking about the fundamentals, standards, and best practices that empower today’s fleets to achieve fleet success.” Persad is a NAFA member who serves as the City of Boynton Beach, Florida’s division director of fleet management and mobility.

UFP also hosts the “Under the UFP Hood” podcast available at https://utilityfleetprofessional.podbean.com.

Like podcasts, webinars are accessible from nearly anywhere and can serve as another source of fleet management education and information. Look for those hosted by reputable professional organizations, industry publications and fleet vendors.

4. Leadership Literature
Leadership insights for utility fleet professionals don’t always originate in the fleet sector. Jackson said he learned a great deal by reading “Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win” by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin, which is available in both print and audiobook formats.

“I was asking for good books on growing as a leader, and a few people recommended ‘Extreme Ownership,’” he said. “I had a lot of takeaways from it, including how you should lead from the front, which means the leader is truly and ultimately responsible for everything.”

5. Other Fleet Professionals and Organizational Leaders
Fellow utility fleet managers and leaders of other departments are often sources of wisdom that can spur leadership growth.

“Since there are no college degrees or courses dedicated to fleet management, I owe a lot to fleet organizations, associations, and the various conferences and webinars that are available to fleet professionals, as well as networking and having like-minded fleet professionals in my corner,” Persad said. “They all bring a different and dynamic approach to education development as a fleet professional and provide insights and solutions to the many challenging issues facing the fleet industry.”

Jackson agreed that outside perspectives are valuable while also emphasizing that leadership insights will arise from a company’s employees regardless of their experience or tenure. “You need to have your fleet heroes. Listen to them. Learn from them. But you also have to be willing to receive input from the bottom to the top of your organization.”

About the Author: Shelley Mika is the owner of Mika Ink, an Omaha, Nebraska-based branding and marketing communications agency. She has been writing about the fleet industry since 2006.