The Commercial Vehicle Training Association, representing commercial truck driver training programs in the United States, announced that it received approval from the Department of Labor to be listed as a National Standard Registered Apprenticeship Program for professional truck drivers. This designation will allow CVTA member carriers to compete for discretionary apprenticeship grants and fund the pre-commercial driver’s license portion of related training instruction. In addition, the program will expand employment opportunities through apprenticeship in the transportation and logistics sector for military Veterans and civilians alike.
“The apprenticeship designation is an important step to have truck driving recognized as an in-demand career by Workforce Investment Board’s across the country,” said Don Lefeve, President & CEO, CVTA. “Our carrier and school members are dedicated to safety, professionalism, and meeting the demand for drivers within the trucking industry. This public-private partnership is a win for students and our country.”
CVTA’s apprenticeship standard was developed with co-sponsor and partner FASTPORT, Inc., the U.S. Department of Labor’s Industry Intermediary for the Transportation & Logistics sector. As the intermediary, FASTPORT ensured the standard fell in accordance with the basic standards recommended by the DOL’s Employment and Training Administration as a basis from which the sponsor can work to establish an apprenticeship training program that meets the needs of an industry.
“American industry is the foundation of our country’s economic competitiveness and prosperity. The challenge? Significant talent shortages and skill gaps are slowing companies’ efforts to expand, innovate, and thrive. Transportation Sector growth is hampered by an aging workforce of highly-skilled and experienced workers and a lingering challenge to attract new and more diverse talent pools,” says Jose Velazquez, Deputy Administrator DOL/ETA Office of Apprenticeships. “Apprenticeship is your proven solution for recruiting, training, and retaining world-class talent.”
FASTPORT President Brad Bentley agreed, saying, “By partnering with our company on this national standard, CVTA will be able to connect these skilled and sought-after graduates with leading employers in the industry offering registered apprenticeships. This co-sponsorship is a critical element to help the trucking industry bridge experience gaps for thousands of new truck drivers, and we are thrilled to help connect these outstanding CDL graduates with real economic opportunity in the industry.”
To learn more about Registered Apprenticeships in the transportation & logistics sector, and how to sign up to become an employer or training institution, visit transportationapprenticeships.org.
