Meet Feburary 2018's Trainer of the Month, Raymond Burt

on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 in Awards & Recognition

Raymond joined the professional driving team at TMC in May 2015. After gaining valuable experience over the road, he started as a driver trainer. “I held training roles in the past with previous employers and I always enjoyed it,” Raymond says. “It’s rewarding to help new drivers get started in their careers.”

In terms of his training style, Raymond keeps things simple. “I’m very laid back and take a quiet approach,” he says. “I make sure everything is done correctly and take things nice and slow.” Raymond makes sure every mistake a trainee may make is turned into a learning experience.

“It takes a special person to be a trainer,” Raymond continues. “You have to be patient and remember these trainees are new and they are nervous.”

Along with the teaching aspect of training, Raymond enjoys the camaraderie of having someone else in the truck. He also encourages his trainees to reach out to him anytime with questions. “I’m always there for my guys, even after they start in their own truck,” he says. “Making sure they are safe and doing their job correctly is my number one priority.”

For those who might be interesting in training, Raymond encourages them to take their time and reiterates the importance of patience. “Find a routine that works for you and your trainees. Things will fall into place from there.”

Raymond, right, with Training Coordinator Manager, Jeff Geist

Driver trainers are vital to the TMC Training Department, and each month a trainer is chosen who demonstrates the outstanding qualities TMC looks for in a trainer. The Trainer of the Month recipient is chosen based on their safety record and the safety performance of their trainees, the number of drivers trained and the retention percentage of those drivers. Congratulations to our February 2018 Trainer of the Month, Raymond Burt!