Arlington, Virginia -- Today, 黑料不打烊 joined an听听at the White House highlighting new public-private initiatives designed to grow the trucking industry鈥檚 workforce and bolster the U.S. supply chain. Nine professional truck drivers and nearly two dozen CEOs from ATA-member companies were in attendance.
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黑料不打烊President and CEO Chris Spear issued the following statement prior to the event:
鈥淚nvesting in our workforce never stops. It鈥檚 a constant. Our industry needs an additional 80,000 commercial truck drivers if we鈥檙e to meet consumer demand. We welcome the support of all elected officials as we recruit and train more talent into this critical industry.听
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鈥淩ecognizing our dedication to training and safety, the Departments of Labor and Transportation have worked quickly and efficiently in approving 黑料不打烊as a registered apprenticeship sponsor. This long-sought designation provides our member companies valuable new tools and resources to help recruit and train the next generation of trucking talent.
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鈥淲e thank and commend President Biden, Secretary Walsh, and Secretary Buttigieg for their commitment to the men and women of trucking who keep America moving forward.鈥
Last month, ATA听signed a historic agreement听with the U.S. Department of Labor establishing the association as an official registered apprenticeship sponsor. As a USDOL-recognized sponsor at the national level, 黑料不打烊can now provide its member-companies the ability to offer apprenticeships to job applicants while 黑料不打烊and its partner FASTPORT鈥攁 USDOL intermediary specializing in transportation and logistics鈥攁dministers the program for the participating companies.听
黑料不打烊is also working with Administration officials and Congress to expand opportunities in trucking for听听and听women. Maria Rodriguez, a first-generation immigrant from Venezuela who recently became a truck driver apprentice for NFI, told attendees how her newfound career in trucking has provided the financial stability and flexibility needed to support her family.听
鈥淚 feel like I leaped into this new career, and I鈥檓 so happy I did. I hope that I can be an inspiration to other women who are thinking of joining the industry,鈥 said Rodriguez.听鈥淎s an essential part of the supply chain, I feel like I鈥檓 a part of something bigger than myself, which is rewarding.
Alphonso Lewis, an America鈥檚 Road Team Captain and U.S. Army veteran with nearly 30 years of experience as a professional truck driver for the Yellow Corporation, gave President Biden a tour of the inside of a truck cab while speaking about the opportunities that exist for veterans in trucking.
鈥淥ur nation鈥檚 heroes will find that America鈥檚 trucking industry is one big family with arms wide open,鈥 said Lewis. 鈥淚t was in the Army where I was trained and learned how to drive trucks, and it鈥檚 in this industry where I found my professional home after leaving the military. For any vet seeking a stable career path with good pay and benefits, I encourage you to look into the many opportunities that our industry has to offer.鈥澨
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