The American Trucking Association has recently signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor that would help to establish ATA as an official registered apprenticeship sponsor. Reports from the Department of Labor suggest that around 300 employers, as well as industry workforce groups, have joined the program since its launch in December.
Now that ATA is a DOL-recognized sponsor they are now capable of providing its members with the ability to offer apprenticeships to job applicants. With the trucking industry estimated to be around 80,000 drivers short to meet current freight demands the program will help combat those shortages by building a network of drivers across the country.
“Drivers throughout the country have spoken with me about the rewards and the challenges of this career, and it’s clear we need to do more to build and support the trucking workforce,” Buttigieg said. “The Biden-Harris administration is working with the trucking industry and drivers to quickly launch registered apprenticeship programs that provide high-quality paid job training, reduce debt for drivers and increase the number of drivers who stay in the job.”
Chris Spear, ATA President, and CEO
The implementation of apprenticeship programs will be extremely useful to The ATA as through apprenticeships they will be able to better promote the benefits of a trucking career-making recruiting much easier. With the introduction of their new apprenticeship program, ATA members will need to meet certain training and compensation standards as they bring in new drivers for a two-year apprenticeship program that will provide graduated wages as drivers develop and expand their skills.
The agreement between the two parties shows the kind of commitment that motor carriers have always made to their employees when it comes to great pay and benefits as well as high-quality on-the-job training through the program. With these additions, employers can accelerate their efforts and help make their company's long-term hiring goals become a reality.
Read full article here: https://www.thetrucker.com/trucking-news/the-nation/ata-heralds-signing-of-trucking-registered-apprenticeship-agreement-as-a-great-day
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