Building skills, delivering value
As a multibillion-dollar integrated logistics company with 100 years of business under our belt, we know that our success is intricately tied to the growth, collaboration and creativity of our people — they’re at the very heart of our success. Our core value of “Growth,” which reminds us, “We grow our people and our business,” is deeply ingrained in our culture. To facilitate this growth, our award-winning Learning and Development (L&D) team is focused on ensuring every employee has access to the training and development resources they need to continually improve their knowledge, capitalize on their talents, advance their careers and serve our customers well.
Our commitment to listening and collaboration
We listen attentively inside and outside the organization to understand and meet our customers' evolving needs. Through focus groups, employees and customers are actively involved in the training and development process, so we can provide programs that address customer needs and build the necessary skills to deliver exceptional service. Training gives us the tools and insights to analyze our processes, services, and technologies through the lens of our customers. Incorporating feedback into training programs strengthens employee knowledge and skills, ultimately improving the customer experience.
Collaboration is another of our core values, and the L&D team’s collaborative training approach cultivates a culture of teamwork — unlocking new possibilities and delivering superior solutions for our customers. In classes together, employees from diverse backgrounds can share insights, exchange ideas, and solve complex challenges. Such shared learning experiences enhance individual capabilities and foster unity within the organization.
The three pillars of Learning & Development at ArcBest
Through online learning, live webinars and in-person instruction, our L&D team engages our people at every stage of their careers — from our drivers and field teams to campus and remote workers. The three areas of focus are:
1. Campus-Based Training
Our campus-based training focuses on enhancing employees’ job skills — including career development — to create a positive working experience and ensure employees are equipped to support customers with excellence. This includes hundreds of online and instructor-led training courses, self-guided online courses and instructor-led training courses via webinar and in person. Campus-based training also engages ArcBest’s future leaders through various programs to ensure our business remains positioned for long-term success.
2. Field Training
Our field trainers travel to service center locations nationwide, providing comprehensive training on new equipment, processes and technology. With this consistent training across the organization, customers can expect the same reliable level of skill and service, regardless of location or solution. This includes our ABF Driver Development Program and the Teamsters Military Assistance Program.
3. Quality Awareness
In this area, we provide training programs that are vital to keeping our employees safe and protecting our customers’ shipments. Our Quality Process, which focuses on providing customers error-free service by ‘doing it right the first time’ (DIRFT), was formally established in 1984 — and it’s heavily engrained in the company’s culture today. This focus on quality relies on continuous education through job-skills training, quality seminars and focus groups — all designed to equip employees with the knowledge and resources they need to safely navigate the roadways, handle all types of cargo and comply with regulations.
Enhancing employee competence and customer confidence
Our award-winning learning and development programs positively impact retention and job satisfaction, but the benefits extend beyond the company. Investing in development empowers employees to think outside the box and find new ways to provide customers with exceptional logistics solutions. Our L&D teams remain dedicated to training our employees, delivering outstanding service and solving logistics challenges together.
