The Road Ahead Is Clear: Why Veteran Hiring and Registered Apprenticeships Are the Future of Trucking

At the heart of the trucking industry’s biggest challenges lies an opportunity: to redefine how we grow, train, and strengthen our workforce. That message came through loud and clear during a recent segment of RadioNemo of North America, recorded live from the floor of the Mid-America Trucking Show.

Hosted by Jimmy Mac and Nick DiMeo, the show welcomed Dave Harrison, Executive Director of Workforce Development at Fastport, and Sarah Lee, founder of Waypoint Vets. Together, they explored the urgent workforce gaps and forward-thinking solutions that can keep America’s supply chain strong, including registered apprenticeships, trade policy alignment, and one of the most untapped resources in the talent pool: our nation’s Veterans.

“What are you looking for? I’m looking for somebody to show up on time, somebody to pass the drug screen, somebody who is trainable, somebody who can solve problems, and somebody who can work in a team,” said Dave Harrison. “Guess what that sounds like?”

A military Veteran.

You can play the interview in its entirety by clicking play on the sound bar below:

More Than a Thank You: The Business Case for Veteran Hiring

There’s a tendency in corporate America to frame Veteran hiring as a goodwill gesture. But as both Harrison and Jimmy Mac emphasized, the benefits go far beyond altruism: 

“That’s a big thing that we’ve got to keep reminding people,” said Jimmy Mac. “This is not about charity. We are giving you an opportunity to onboard some of the most qualified individuals in the United States of America.”

Veterans are trained in logistics, teamwork, leadership, and decision-making under pressure. Many have literally moved entire cities under combat conditions, ensuring every piece of infrastructure—fuel, water, power, supplies—arrives exactly when and where it’s needed.

“Military personnel move entire cities into places there wasn’t one—oftentimes under conditions that are less than optimal—and there are some people around who really don’t want that city there,” Harrison explained. “That is logistics on a macro and micro level that just blows your mind.”

Bridging the Qualified Driver Gap

The conversation also addressed a key misconception plaguing the industry: the so-called driver shortage. According to Jimmy Mac, it’s not a shortage of people—it’s a shortage of qualified professionals.

“There’s not a driver shortage there is a qualified driver shortage. There is a qualified driver shortage. There is a consistent driver shortage. There is a driver who will show up on time shortage. If you’re looking to plug that gap, there’s a place you can go…There are few people better qualified than logistical military people.”

Creating the Pipeline: Apprenticeship and Long-Term Talent Strategies

One of the key takeaways from the discussion was that companies can’t rely on luck to fill roles—they need structure. That’s where Registered Apprenticeship programs come in, since they help bridge the gap between employers and the new generation of talent to ensure each fits the other’s needs.

The Veteran Ready Summit, hosted by Fastport, is one way companies can learn to build that structure. It equips employers to recruit, train, and retain not only Veterans but also transitioning service members and military families.

“It shows employers how to do it right—and how to do it right with an ROI,” Harrison noted. “Because it’s not a charity. They’re going to bring something to your house.”

Looking Ahead: Infrastructure and Policy Must Evolve

Hiring smarter also means thinking bigger—about how we move freight, connect systems, and support sustainable logistics. Harrison closed with a challenge to the industry to align its hiring, training, and infrastructure goals with broader trade policy and technological advancement.

“We must align our infrastructure with trade policy that allows for consistency of freight… because it’s all about the intermodal connection now. Supply chain dies without it… The more we integrate as a whole industry, the higher quality jobs we’ll get across the board.”

Conclusion: The Road Ahead Is Clear

From Registered Apprenticeship to Veteran hiring and smarter trade policy, the trucking industry already has the tools it needs to address its most pressing challenges. What’s needed now is action.

Whether you’re an employer, HR leader, or workforce advocate, the message is clear: this isn’t about charity—it’s about building a stronger, more resilient supply chain by investing in the right people. Because when you give Veterans a place behind the wheel, you’re not just filling a seat.

You’re moving the entire industry forward.

Join the Movement at the 2025 Veteran Ready Summit

Be part of the future of transportation and logistics and join other industry leaders in Washington DC this December for our annual event. Early bird registration for the Veteran Ready Summit is now open through May 31st on veteranreadysummit.org—save $100 per ticket and secure your seat among industry leaders transforming how we hire.

Want to amplify your impact? Sponsorship opportunities are also available. View our sponsor prospectus here. 

Let’s build the workforce we need—together.