Becoming a Highway Dispatcher

If you’re interested in dispatcher training, you should know that this is a program that can open many doors for you, from load planning to logistics and brokerage to operations management. One of the largest industries in Canada is the transportation industry, which means there are plenty of auto careers available out there for candidates with the right skills, experience and confidence level needed to be successful in this field. For example, have you ever considered becoming a highway dispatcher? Depending on the situation, your job would involve using different communication devices to help dispatch vehicles, services and equipment on highways.

The ideal candidate

To be a successful highway dispatcher, you’ll need proper training from a dispatch school. You should also be well-organized, have a strong sense of duty and be able to keep your calm under pressure. Part of the job may require you to type information quickly, which is why having good typing technique can come in handy. Moreover, you’ll need good hearing. If your hearing is below average, you may have to acquire a hearing aid device. You may also be asked to undergo basic first aid and CPR training as well as agree to regular drug testing and a background check of your criminal record.

If this type of position sounds like a lot of pressure, don’t worry. You’ll first undergo a lengthy apprenticeship to gain experience working in a real-life setting while receiving guidance, support and advice from a veteran dispatcher. This period will allow you to adjust to the demands of the position and get a better idea of the skills and techniques that you’ll need to develop in order to be able to handle a full workload. You’ll get to observe more experienced dispatchers at work, gaining a better understanding of how they think and the type of decisions they make according to various situations, as well as sharpen your skills in the real-world environment.

Eyes and ears

The highway dispatcher is the eyes and ears of the vehicles on the ground. In addition to maintaining communication with the personnel on the road, the highway dispatcher must also keep a written record of everything that’s going on, so that the data can be reviewed at a later date if need be. The duties of a highway dispatcher are critical in dealing with emergencies and other situations, which is why it’s important to keep track of the various decisions that are made on the fly.

Most professionals who work as highway dispatchers understand the importance of their job and take the position seriously. Though highway dispatching isn’t the easiest career, it’s a well-remunerated line of work that’s also tremendously rewarding on a personal level, as you’ll get satisfaction from knowing that your efforts are making a real difference.