Nature of the Work

Dispatchers schedule and dispatch workers, equipment, or service vehicles to carry materials or passengers. They keep records, logs, and schedules of the calls that they receive and of the transportation vehicles that they monitor and control. Many dispatchers employ computer-aided dispatch systems to accomplish these tasks.

Education and Training

Workers usually have a high school degree and learn the skills needed to do their jobs through a few months of on-the-job training.

Job Outlook

Employment change. Employment is expected to decline slowly. Increasing worker productivity may cause an employment decline; however population growth and economic expansion may limit the decline.

Job prospects. Favorable opportunities are expected, largely due to job openings arising from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force. As the equipment becomes more complex, individuals with computer skills and experience should have the best prospects for employment.