Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025:
Kenworth partners with WyoTech to address diesel tech shortage
Kenworth recently announced a new partnership with WyoTech, a diesel technician training school, to launch the Kenworth NextTech program, a hands-on training initiative designed to address the shortage of skilled diesel technicians.
The program was unveiled during Kenworth Day at WyoTech in Laramie, Wyoming, which featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony, guided campus tours, the unveiling of Kenworth-branded wall art, and a meet-and-greet with students and dealer representatives.
The U.S. diesel technician shortage remains a critical issue, with more than 40,000 job openings annually and fewer than 11,000 technicians graduating from training programs each year, according to the American Transportation Research Institute. Through this partnership, Kenworth and WyoTech aim to build a stronger, more prepared workforce of Kenworth-certified technicians.
“The Kenworth NextTech program will build a strong pipeline of trained technicians with hands-on experience working with Kenworth’s advanced trucks and powertrains,” said Kevin Haygood, Kenworth’s assistant general manager for sales and marketing. “Through our collaboration with WyoTech, the Kenworth NextTech program will be key to creating a sustainable workforce for our dealers and ensure exceptional service for our customers.”
The Kenworth NextTech program, which is available to any enrolled WyoTech student, provides access to the same training and proprietary service tools used by Kenworth dealership technicians across North America. The new program will provide students with:
- Free access to Kenworth Essentials dealer technician training modules
- Enrollment in instructor-led certification courses covering Kenworth Service Systems, Kenworth Electrical Systems, and Kenworth Diagnostics
- Kenworth trucks, equipped with Paccar MX engines and powertrains
- Paccar MX engines and MX engine tool kits
- Kenworth’s DAVIE4 diagnostic service tools and software licensing
- A WyoTech-dedicated Kenworth program manager
Students participating in the Kenworth NextTech program will train using real-world tools in a simulated shop environment and graduate with Kenworth certifications – better preparing them to contribute from day one at a Kenworth dealership.
DOT gives more time to weigh in on next highway bill
Following the U.S. Department of Transportation’s invitation to transportation stakeholders last month to give their input on infrastructure needs with the next highway bill, more time is being given for the trucking and other industries to weigh in.
In the call for feedback last month, DOT opened up comments through Wednesday, Aug. 20. With 768 comments filed to the docket as of Tuesday morning, Aug. 19, the DOT has decided to give interested parties additional time to weigh in, extending the comment period until Sept. 8.
The current authorization for funding of federal surface transportation programs -- the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act -- is set to expire Sept. 30, 2026. DOT Secretary Sean Duffy kicked off the surface transportation reauthorization effort last month in an event with members of Congress and infrastructure stakeholders.
In its call for input from transportation stakeholders, DOT said it’s looking for comments from entities significantly affected by DOT administrative actions, including: state, local, and tribal governments; small businesses; consumers; non-governmental organizations; transportation system operators and service providers; and manufacturers and their trade associations.
The department asked stakeholders to assess what has worked, what needs improvement and what new priorities should be included in the next highway bill. The information gathered could help inform legislative priorities as Congress begins working toward a new highway bill.
Comments can be filed here through Sept. 8.
Former Uber Freight, Transplace exec joins new cross-border, multimodal firm
Transport Capacity Services (TCS), a multimodal transportation and cross-border solutions provider, today announced the expansion of its leadership team, marking the company’s official launch following a year of development and steady customer growth.
TCS manages freight movement between the U.S. and Mexico, offering reliable, efficient and technology-driven solutions in a complex and often fragmented logistics landscape, the company said. With deep expertise and an extensive network of trusted carriers, including CTPAT-certified partners, TCS added that it is uniquely equipped to deliver seamless transportation across the U.S. and Mexico.
Founded in 2024, the company has achieved rapid growth and now enters its next phase with the appointment of Ben Enriquez as CEO. A veteran of Transplace and Uber Freight, Enriquez brings extensive industry leadership to TCS.
He joins a seasoned executive team with more than 100 years of combined experience in domestic and cross-border logistics, including Frank McGuigan, former Transplace CEO and President & COO of Uber Freight, who serves as co-founder and executive chairman of TCS.
“Cross-border logistics is full of operational and regulatory complexity that can become a bottleneck for many organizations,” said Enriquez. “We formed TCS to eliminate the challenges and uncertainties often associated with cross-border shipping. Our team's deep expertise and long-standing carrier relationships in both the U.S. and Mexico help keep goods moving smoothly and compliantly.”
TCS has offices in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico; Mexico City; Bentonville, Arkansas; and Laredo, Texas, which the company said positions it to manage high-volume, high-complexity operations on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.
