At Horizon Personnel Services, we believe it’s very important to provide employment opportunities for military servicemen and women. To recognize their military service and utilize their military occupational skills (MOS) we’ve teamed with Western Truck School and employers to develop a special individualized program that offers qualifying servicemen and women local truck driving jobs.
Commercial drivers are in high demand. There’s a growing national driver shortage. Overall domestic tonnage reached a record high in 2014, and analysts are expecting continued growth in 2015 and beyond.
Any veteran can apply to the program. Horizon Personnel staff will speak with interested individuals to review their options. We understand that being deployed, away from friends and family for long periods of time can be difficult. And so we believe it’s very important to provide veterans opportunities for commercial truck driving jobs that keep them close to their family and friends. We’ll conduct an assessment interview, and then we can suggest a plan of action that will assist the individual in maximizing time, effort, financial resources and benefits.
Western Truck School
After the assessment interview, veterans will be directed to Western Truck School (WTS) for clear instruction on what they’ll need to have and need to do to qualify for the program, financial assistance opportunities, and driver-training locations.
Program Requirements
For example, applicants must:
- Have the necessary experience on the equipment listed in the “Authority of Article 136, Uniform Code of Military Justice or 10 U.S.C. 1044a”
- Have a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) waiver signed by his or her commanding officer verifying the experience
- Pass a drug test for employment (some training locations may require this as well)Pass the physical required by the Department of Transportation
- Meet their local DMV legal requirements for permitting and licensure (study and get one now)
- Have an acceptable driving record (to be determined on a case-by-case basis)
- For most employers, pass a criminal background check and have no outstanding legal issues
Financial Assistance
Financial assistance is available to pay for ALL of the veteran’s training/schooling, as long as the curriculum is approved by the VA. WTS will review the paperwork necessary for financial assistance and help each and every veteran meet GI Bill and Post-911 Grant requirements.
Local Campus
WTS will direct veterans to the approved campus in their hometown/city, contact the campus in advance of the veteran’s attendance and ensure each veteran is fully prepared with the necessary paperwork.
Training Curriculum and Process
WTS, with input from our partners, has developed a curriculum that meets VA standards for veteran education and they will ensure ALL campuses follow the established curriculum:
- 160 clock hours
- Four weeks
- Classroom curriculum
- Practical (behind-the-wheel) curriculum
Getting the Job – Driver Personnel Files/DQ Files
WTS and its school-affiliated recruiters will use Horizon Personnel Services’ driver-processing paperwork, which includes: Application for Employment, work history, three employer references, medical card, criminal background check and motor vehicle reports [MVR]. WTS and its affiliates will administer the pre-employment drug test through a third-party administrator, entering each veteran into a random drug-testing program.
Horizon Personnel Services
Horizon Personnel Services transportation division personnel will receive the personnel/DQ file two weeks prior to the veteran graduating Truck Driving School. Along with the personnel and DQ files, each campus will provide a “progress report” on the veteran’s driving aptitude.
The VP of Transportation and the Director of Recruiting for Horizon Personnel Services will review each veteran’s file and report card and determine where each driver has the best opportunity for success and forward the DQ File to those clients.
Horizon Personnel Services has over 100 transportation clients in need of local drivers. One of those of clients is Ryder Integrated Logistics, a global leader in third-party logistics and transportation services.
Our Coalition
NOR-CAL PRODUCE – SACRAMENTO, CA
PERFORMANCE TEAM – NEW JERSEY, DALLAS, CITY OF INDUSTRY, LOS ANGELES
AMERIVET LOGISTICS – SACRAMENTO, LOS ANGELES, CONCORD
PR LOGISTICS – CARSON
