As a new registered apprenticeship sponsor, the TCA has partnered with FASTPORT to advance its apprenticeship reach with its member employers by streamlining program creation processes and providing technical support. Now, TCA members can offer registered apprenticeships to their job applicants and employees while FASTPORT eases workload concerns by administering the program for participating companies.
“The Truckload Carriers Association represents over 200,000 trucks from refrigerated, dry van, flatbed, tanker, and intermodal companies on the front lines of the nation’s driver shortage. Having the ability to offer a DOL registered apprenticeship will give their members tremendous recruitment and retention tool that works within their current business models. More than that, apprenticeship enhances those models to accelerate workforce goals,” said FASTPORT Executive Director of Workforce Development Dave Harrison.
“TCA recognizes the critical role of professional truck drivers and their steadfast commitment to the movement of much-needed goods,” shared TCA President John Lyboldt. “This program further solidifies TCA’s support of our essential workforce and their professionalism, dedication, and discipline.”
“We would like to thank and recognize TCA members D.M. Bowman, Tyson Foods and Melton Truck Lines, Inc. Their support of the value of registered apprenticeship has helped pave the way for expanding this program for the entire organization,” said FASTPORT’s President Brad Bentley.
“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,” said TCA Chairman Jim Ward. “Well-rounded training and a clear career path will elevate the commercial driver job as we know it.”
On Sunday at the annual conference in Las Vegas, FASTPORT’s Dave Harrison made a detailed presentation going over the application process for TCA members. He shared innovative ideas for how they can share the benefits of apprenticeship to their workforce, and the step-by-step process flow involved with registering your apprenticeship. Several members commented afterward that they were grateful for FASTPORT’s involvement, and that they had always wanted to establish registered apprenticeships.