The search continues as Kenworth, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring our Heroes Program and FASTPORT work together to find America’s top rookie military veteran who has made the transition from active duty to driving for a commercial fleet.
The recognition program, called “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence,” will provide a fully-loaded Kenworth T680 76" sleeper with a PACCAR MX-13 engine to the top rookie, as determined by an expert panel of judges. To be considered, drivers must have been either active military or a member of the National Guard or Reserve. Drivers need to be nominated by a trucking company that has made a hiring commitment and pledge to hire veterans on www.truckingtrack.org or, by a National Association of Publically Funded Truck Driving Schools (NAPFTDS) or Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA)-member school. Nominations will be accepted until June 30, 2016. Full criteria and online nomination forms can be found at: www.transitiontrucking.org.
“Providing a Kenworth T680 with PACCAR MX-13 engine to our country’s top military rookie driver will give him or her a kick-start in becoming an entrepreneur,” said Jason Skoog, Kenworth’s assistant general manager for sales and marketing. “It’s Kenworth’s way of saying thank you for your service in the military, and thank you for deciding on a new career in trucking. We encourage all fleets to nominate their best drivers who have served to protect our country.”
According to Brad Bentley, president of FASTPORT, to be considered a “rookie” and eligible in the contest, drivers will have had to start their driving career Jan 1, 2015 through to the end of the contest. The winner will be announced on Dec. 16 at a location to be determined in Washington, D.C.
“There are an estimated 15,000 veterans transitioning into civilian life each month, and many have successfully entered the trucking industry,” said Bentley. “They are hard-wired for success in trucking -- they already work for the largest, most complex supply chain and logistic company - our military. Veterans are mission-oriented, understand the value of training, are used to working in changing environments, know how to lead and make decisions, and they do this with a focus on safety. All these capabilities are why veterans can have a very successful career in the trucking industry.”
While the nomination cut-off is the end of June, the Transition into Trucking program will continue through the end of the year, with hiring fairs slated at military bases, truck industry events, and at venues close to military bases. The Kenworth T680 will be on display to inform and inspire those looking at trucking as a possible career.
