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Fleet Has a Talent Pipeline Problem. What Comes Next? | AF News Recap
Where will fleet’s next generation of leaders come from? This week, we’re looking at the industry’s talent pipeline, what certification can add to a fleet career, how to build an award-worthy track record, and the return of Automotive Fleet’s Personal Use Survey.
September 11, 2026
- The fleet industry is facing challenges in developing its next generation of leaders.
- Certification is highlighted as a beneficial element for advancing careers within the fleet industry.
- Automotive Fleet is reintroducing its Personal Use Survey to gather relevant industry insights.
*Summarized by AI
This week’s fleet headlines raise a bigger question than what’s happening with vehicles or technology: How does the industry develop, recognize, and prepare the people who will lead it next?
Fleet may have a talent pipeline problem rather than a talent problem. Young professionals studying business, operations, data analytics, and other relevant disciplines often aren’t introduced to fleet as a career option. Many established professionals stumbled into the industry from somewhere else, but relying on that same path may not be enough to develop the next generation.
Once someone enters the profession, certification can help broaden that foundation. The CAFM covers eight fleet disciplines, giving professionals exposure to areas they may not encounter within their own organization. Certification doesn’t replace experience, but it can complement it by providing industry best practices, strengthening credibility, and helping managers understand how decisions in one area of fleet affect others.
Professional growth is also about documenting what you accomplish. When it comes to winning a fleet award, Associate PublisherChris Brown has a simple point: judges can only evaluate what’s put in front of them. A strong nomination explains the problem, what changed, and the measurable result.
And finally, Automotive Fleet’s 2026 Personal Use Survey is open! The annual benchmark asks private commercial fleets about personal-use eligibility, monthly charges, authorized drivers, vehicle policies, and other program details. Last year’s survey found that 72% of fleets allowed personal use of company vehicles, while 52% charged employees nothing for the benefit. Responses for the 2026 survey are due September 21, so get those nominations in!
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