Next Gen Trucking Talk with Lindsey Trent
The Next Gen Trucking Association is a membership-based advocacy group solely dedicated to advancing the trucking industry as a career choice for the next generation through nationwide education and awareness initiatives. As a leading national nonprofit trade association, Next Gen Trucking Association (NGT) inspires, educates, and provides resources for young people and schools and promotes opportunities within the trucking industry. This podcast is all about steering the next generation towards careers in trucking. Who is doing it, how, and best practices. For more information contact Lindsey Trent at info@nextgentrucking.org.
Next Gen Trucking Talk with Lindsey Trent
Building Safer Pathways: How Ancora Brings CDL & Skilled Trades Training to Employers and Colleges
In this episode of NextGen Talks, host Lindsey Trent sits down with Natalie Williams, a leader in workforce and post-secondary education and the driving force behind Ancora Training. Natalie shares her journey from campus leadership to launching employer-based training models—and how Ancora now partners with community colleges, employers, and government agencies across the country to deliver turnkey CDL training. Together, they dig into why outsourcing training can help fleets stay compliant, consistent, and safety-focused, and what companies can do after licensure to support new drivers through mentorship, phased training, and apprenticeship-style onboarding.
The conversation also expands beyond the driver seat into high-demand skilled trades—especially transportation refrigeration (reefer) technician training, a growing gap fleets are feeling as seasoned technicians retire. Natalie explains how Ancora brings training directly to worksites, integrates soft skills to develop professional drivers (not just license holders), and prepares instructors to teach effectively—not just drive well. Lindsey and Natalie close by looking at what’s ahead in 2026, including stronger pathways with secondary and post-secondary partners, increased thought leadership, and the shared mission of building a safer, more prepared next generation of trucking and logistics professionals.
https://www.ancoratraining.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-williams-54469032/
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The Next Generation in Trucking Association is a non-profit trade association who is engaging and training the next generation of trucking industry professionals by partnering with high schools, community/technical colleges and private schools to connect to and launch training programs around North America.
Visit our website: www.nextgentruckers.com
Contact us at: info@nextgentruckers.com
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