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Partnership to Assist in Training
Apprenticeship-Ready Truck Drivers
Alexandria, Va., May 14, 2018 – Today, the Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA) announced that it received approval from the Department of Labor (DOL) 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 (CDL) portion of related training instruction (RTI). 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 (DOL) 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 (DOLETA) 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 speaks about the importance of top-notch CDL training for military Veterans at CVTA Conference
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.
Media Contact, CVTA
Kristine Gager, Director of Communications
703.642.9444 ext. 104
Media Contact, FASTPORT
Dave Harrison, SME, Executive Director National Apprenticeship
479-231-9666
About CVTA
The Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA) is the largest association representing commercial truck driver training programs in the United States. CVTA members represent nearly 200 training providers in 42 states and train over 50,000 commercial drivers annually. Advancing the interests of trucking’s workforce providers and employers, CVTA advocates for policies that enhance safety through commercial driver training, enable students to secure employment within the trucking and bus industries, thus further advancing driver professionalism. For more information, visit www.cvta.org.
About FASTPORT
FASTPORT, Inc. is an employment software development company that builds products to help Veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, transitioning service members and military spouses find meaningful employment. Using its proprietary technology, FASTPORT is committed to matching job seekers to employers actively hiring from the military community. FASTPORT, Inc. is a Department of Labor Industry Intermediary to increase apprenticeship programs for civilian and Veteran talent and has a commercial co-venture with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes Program to develop the preeminent employment marketplace to connect employers and military candidates. For more information, visit fastport.com.
