Distracted and Defensive Driving: Strategies for Fleet Owners
Morgan Truck Body Empowers Graduates
Morgan Truck Body's Welding Program aims to turn high school seniors into skilled professionals.

From classroom to career: Morgan Truck Body's success stories.
Photo: Morgan Truck Body/Work Truck
Seven high school seniors from local school districts completed a skilled welding internship at Morgan Truck Body last semester, resulting in seven full-time job offers to begin upon graduation starting at $23 per hour, and they can work part-time until then.
Students earned pay while attending classes for two hours daily that count toward high school credit.
“We congratulate the seven students who completed Morgan’s comprehensive training program that included small-classroom lab instruction, training on welding equipment and access to a Virtual Reality Welding Simulator,” says Richard Dixon, who manages the Morgan Truck Body high school training program. “The internship provides an excellent earn-while-you-learn pathway to achieving a living wage and an opportunity for advancement without a college degree.”
Morgan Truck Body's Graduates Shine
Up to 14 students receive invitations each semester to join Morgan Truck Body's paid training program, sourced from various local school districts.
Out of the 36 graduates from the program so far, 25 have secured positions with Morgan Truck Body immediately after high school.
High school seniors aged 17 or older have the opportunity to enroll in Morgan Truck Body's paid welding training program during either the fall or spring session.
Those offered employment at the end of the fall session, provided they are at least 18 years old, can work part-time at $23 per hour until graduation.
Additionally, they are eligible for 80% college tuition reimbursement after six months of full-time employment.
“Multiple generations of skilled workers have built their careers at Morgan Truck Body, which is the largest manufacturer of medium-duty dry freight and refrigerated van and truck bodies in North America,” says Julie Ubele, Talent Acquisition Manager at Morgan. “We support a workforce of 2700 employees and take pride in providing excellent training, benefits and opportunity for growth for individuals looking to build a career in the trades.”
More Operations

Shades of Fleet Call for Voices: Next Up in Fleet
Apprentices, interns, young professionals, and rising leaders: share your voice in our "Next Up in Fleet" episode of our Shades of Fleet video series!
Read More →
Fleet Leadership, Skilled Trades, and Better Data Take Center Stage | Weekly Cheat Sheet
Skilled trades, fleet leadership, DataQs, and driver input take center stage in this week's Truck Chat Weekly Cheat Sheet. Watch the latest fleet headlines.
Read More →
NAFA Names 2026 Class of Fellows, Honoring Leaders in Fleet Management
NAFA Fleet Management Association (NAFA) has recognized five fleet professionals by naming them to the 2026 Class of NAFA Fellows. Find out who they are and learn more about their impact on the fleet management profession.
Read More →
Verisk CargoNet Assists in Manhattan Cargo Theft Indictment Targeting Multi-State Impersonation Ring
Verisk CargoNet assisted law enforcement efforts tied to an indictment related to an organized, multi-state cargo theft operation that allegedly took nearly $5 million in stolen goods through impersonation tactics.
Read More →
What Does a Potato Have to Do with Leadership?
From simple process improvements and creative problem-solving to the little moments that strengthen team culture, this conversation dives into the power of unexpected ideas and why innovation doesn't always arrive wrapped in new technology or a major initiative.
Read More →
Looking for a New Podcast for the Road? Start Here!
Looking for a new podcast? Truck Chat delivers fleet leadership insights, industry deep dives, AI discussions, innovations, and real-world stories.
Read More →
WTX Fleet Manager Applications Close Soon (and Yes, You Want In)
WTX Fleet Manager Applications close soon for the hosted Work Truck Exchange, Sept. 23-25, 2026, in Scottsdale, Arizona. Limited spots available, apply today!
Read More →Did You Know What You Don't See May Be Costing You Big?
As more employees choose personal vehicles (including hybrids and EVs) for business use, companies face new challenges around visibility, insurance, liability, and cost control.
Read More →
Veteran Voices in Fleet | How Military Service Shapes Fleet Leaders
Across every perspective, one message is clear: the experiences gained through military service continue to influence how veterans contribute to the fleet industry every day.
Read More →
The Fleet Lessons That Don’t Show Up on a Spreadsheet
From index cards to predictive maintenance, Robert Martinez shares the hard-earned leadership lessons that shaped nearly 40 years in fleet.
Read More →

