Truck driving program to employ Arkansans
For Immediate Release: September 13, 2011
Contact Person and Phone Number: Kimberly Friedman (501) 682-3125
LITTLE ROCK - The Arkansas Department of Workforce Services is pleased to announce the resumption of the Truck Driver Training Pilot Initiative.
DWS is partnering with Arkansas State University - Newport and the Arkansas Trucking Association to offer the program.
All tuition and related training expenses are forgiven if the applicant completes a four-week training course at the Commercial Driver Training Institute at Arkansas State University - Newport and remains on the job for at least one year.
Four Arkansas companies, Maverick Transportation, Stallion Transportation Group, Tyson Foods and Willis Shaw Express, expect to hire up to 300 graduates at wages exceeding $35,000 the first year.
The job training program was suspended in late 2009 due to the recession and the economic downturn. But the transportation industry is now experiencing a shortage of qualified truck drivers, which necessitated the resumption of the program.
"The state of Arkansas is bringing back an important program to train people who are willing to work for a rewarding career as a professional truck driver," Gov. Mike Beebe said. "Companies tell us that the demand for truck drivers is there, and we want to find Arkansans to fill those jobs."
For more information, go to www.truckingarkansas.com or call 1-888-701-8981.
