March was a powerful month for the Shay Legacy Foundation — one defined by meaningful connections, hands-on experiences, and continued progress in building pathways into the trucking industry.
We kicked things off on March 5 with a visit to DCMO BOCES in Sidney, NY, where we connected with approximately 45 students in the heavy equipment program. Notably, five of those students are already pursuing or have obtained their CDL — a testament to the strength of their program, which is one of the few BOCES locations offering a dedicated CDL course and instructor.
We were excited to bring our mobile driving simulator on-site as a follow-up to February’s virtual session, continuing to build engagement and awareness. (If your company is interested in connecting with emerging talent from DCMO BOCES, we encourage you to reach out.)
On March 11, the simulator was back in action at Athens High School during Coxsackie Readiness Day. Juniors and seniors had the opportunity to step inside a real-world driving experience, gaining a deeper understanding of what a career in trucking can look like.
We continued our outreach on March 19 at Questar III BOCES during a training career fair, where we met with several students who are already well on their way — many having secured their CDL permits and preparing for the next step.
Advocacy and leadership were also front and center this month. On March 23, participants in the TANY Leadership Program gathered in Albany for a hands-on session focused on developing public speaking skills and learning how to effectively advocate for industry priorities. Conversations centered around key issues such as tax reform, insurance reform, and the future of trucking in New York State.
Workforce development took another step forward on March 27 at the Capital Region BOCES hiring event. This initiative brought together local companies and students for real-time interviews, creating direct connections between employers and emerging talent. We’re grateful to DeCrescente Distributing, Adirondack Beverages, and Quality Carriers for their participation, and proud to help facilitate collaboration between BOCES and industry partners to shape programs that meet real workforce needs.
To close out the month, we traveled north on March 31 to Franklin-Essex-Hamilton BOCES in Saranac Lake, where we met with 20 seniors from the forestry and heavy equipment program, along with 10 juniors from the auto tech program. These conversations continue to highlight the growing interest in skilled trades and transportation careers across the state.
And just before the month wrapped, on March 28, Alan had the opportunity to speak at a conference in New York City, addressing approximately 200 guidance counselors from across the five boroughs. His message focused on trucking as a viable, rewarding career path — helping to expand awareness among those who play a key role in shaping students’ futures. Check out the his full speech on YouTube!
We’d also like to thank everyone that participated in last month’s “Freight Madness” program and helping us reach out fundraising goal. Your support is so appreciated and will help us continue to help more people find rewarding careers in our industry!
From classrooms to conferences, March was a month of momentum. Each conversation, event, and connection brings us one step closer to strengthening the future of the trucking industry — and we’re just getting started.
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