ATA Promotes Veterans’ Access to Apprenticeships
House Policymakers Debate Trucking Workforce Legislation
Key Takeaways:
- Approximately 20% of Werner Enterprise’s 13,000 associates are linked to the military.
- Veterans’ Transition to Trucking Act would seek to streamline federal oversight of certain apprenticeship program.
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Legislation aimed at enhancing opportunities for veterans in the commercial transportation workforce was promoted by during a recent .
The House Veterans’ Affairs Committee’s Economic Opportunity Subcommittee on Dec. 2 examined marketplace programs designed to connect veterans with careers in the freight sector. Greg Hamm, vice president of field and government recruiting at Werner Enterprises, represented ATA at the hearing.
“Veterans bring the values that make workplaces — and supply chains — stronger,” Hamm said. “Hiring them is not charity; it is smart business.”
He added, “Our team of veteran recruiters has walked the same path as the men and women we serve. Veterans entering Werner can pursue careers ranging from professional driving and maintenance to safety roles, operations, and logistics management. We extend educational support, tuition assistance and military community resource groups to ensure veterans and spouses have the tools they need to thrive.”
Working in the trucking industry gives veterans the opportunity to seamlessly carry over the skills they learned in uniform to a successful career in a high-paying industry — we'll continue to push to expand these opportunities for veterans nationwide.
today — House Committee on Veterans' Affairs (@HouseVetAffairs)
Specifically, Hamm called on policymakers to further fund safety training programs across the trucking industry, as well as approve legislation such as the Veterans’ Transition to Trucking Act. The bill would seek to streamline federal oversight of certain apprenticeship programs with the aim of promoting veterans in the workforce.
ATA emphasized myriad talents associated with veterans, such as technical expertise, as well as leadership qualities. Per background information from ATA, approximately 20% of Werner’s 13,000 associates are linked to the military. The company’s goal is to increase that demographic. Hamm observed, “Together, policymakers and employers can open more doors for the men and women who have served. We are committed to helping veterans build meaningful, long-term careers in trucking.”
Werner ranks No. 18 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of the largest for-hire carriers in North America.
We are proud of our VP of Field & Government Recruiting, Greg Hamm (U.S. Army veteran) for testifying before the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity today on behalf of .
Read more — Werner Enterprises (@One_Werner)
Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.), chairman of the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee, pointed to bipartisan measures that would improve access to apprenticeships for veterans. He is the co-sponsor with Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) of the committee-passed Veterans’ Transition to Trucking Act.
“This goal of getting veterans at the forefront of critical positions in the American economy is a nonpartisan issue,” the chairman explained specific to his legislation, which would allow interstate commercial carriers to gain singular approval from the VA for industry apprenticeship programs. Doing so, sponsors explained, would simplify the process for motor carriers seeking to recruit veterans for driving jobs. The bill awaits approval in the House. A Senate companion bill also awaits approval.
Reed Loustalot of Truck Parking Club discusses how a combination of public funding and private innovation can ease the truck parking problem.Tune in above or by going to .
“It’s unacceptable that veterans are losing employment opportunities due to unnecessary and redundant bureaucratic hurdles. Cutting red tape so trucking companies can employ veterans is a common-sense step that will increase opportunities for veterans and help address the trucking shortage,” said Pappas, the panel’s ranking member, during the bill’s introduction in April. “This bipartisan legislation will streamline the approval process for interstate trucking companies’ apprenticeship programs to partner with VA, ease the pathway for veterans to become truck drivers and support the trucking industry.”
Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) is a co-sponsor: “After spending time bravely serving our country, our veterans deserve access to meaningful careers without the barriers of government red tape.
“I am proud to lead this bipartisan legislation with Rep. Pappas that will allow the VA to streamline the approval of certain apprenticeship programs, addressing our nation’s trucking workforce shortage and empowering veterans with the tools they need to build successful futures.”
ATA is among the stakeholders endorsing the bill.
“When members of the military return home after serving our country, we have an obligation to help them obtain rewarding careers and achieve the American dream they fought to protect,” ATA Senior Vice President of Legislative Affairs Henry Hanscom said in a statement accompanying the bill’s introduction.
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