The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has officially registered as an apprenticeship sponsor with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).
As a recognized sponsor at the national level, TCA can now provide its member companies the ability to offer apprenticeships to job applicants while TCA and its partner FASTPORT — a DOL intermediary specializing in transportation and logistics — administers the program for the participating companies.
TCA sincerely thanks the carriers who have already signed on to the program and looks forward to expanding across the association. Participants as of March 20 include Melton Truck Lines, Inc.; Tyson Foods; and D.M. Bowman, Inc.
During TCA’s Recruitment & Retention Human Resources Committee at Truckload 2022: Las Vegas, FASTPORT’s Executive Director for Work Force Development and Government Programs David Harrison addressed the application process for carriers, shared benefits for driver apprentices, and included the work process schedule and related instructional curriculum.
“It is imperative that truckload carriers have a seat at the table as our industry is responsible for the training of the largest population of drivers,” noted former TCA President John Lyboldt.
“TCA recognizes the critical role of professional truck drivers and their steadfast commitment to the movement of much-needed goods,” he added. “This program further solidifies TCA’s support of our essential workforce and their professionalism, dedication, and discipline.”
“This program will help to fill the ever-growing void the trucking industry continues to grapple with, in time — being short more than 80,000 drivers,” added then-TCA Chairman Jim Ward. “Well-rounded training and a clear career path will elevate the commercial driver job as we know it.”
For more information on federally-recognized apprenticeships, visit apprenticeship.gov, or contact TCA’s Vice President of Operations and Education, Jim Schoonover, at [email protected] or 571-444-0310.
The Truckload Authority News Staff, comprised of award winning journalists and graphic artists, produces content for Truckload Authority, working in cooperation with the Truckload Carriers Association staff. Truckload Authority aims to keep TCA members abreast on the latest trends in the trucking industry as well as articles that feature TCA member executives and drivers. The Truckload Authority staff is based in Little Rock, Arkansas.
