A website has been launched to assist 18- to 20-year-old drivers with military driving experience in finding jobs with interstate trucking companies.
The reservists and service members eligible for the jobs must hold the military equivalent of a commercial driver’s license. These drivers are not permitted to drive for passenger carriers, but the federal program is expected to benefit all employers by increasing the pool of potential candidates and attracting younger people to driving careers.
The listings for the Under 21 Pilot Program were announced in October by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
“The website features motor carriers throughout the country who are seeking to hire 18-20-year-old drivers as part of FMCSA’s Under 21 Military Driver Pilot Program, which was announced in June 2019,” stated the press release. “Interested service members, reservists, National Guard, active duty, or military veterans who possess the equivalent of a CDL can use the job listing resource to learn more about job opportunities that are available with participating motor carriers.”
The job listings can be found at https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/under21militaryjobs. Information on other U.S. Department of Transportation programs helping veterans transition to civilian careers is posted at https://www.transportation.gov/veteranstransportationcareers.
According to FMCSA, the three-year pilot program will allow a limited number of individuals between the ages of 18 and 20 to operate large trucks in interstate commerce. The safety records of these drivers will be compared to the records of a control group of drivers to help determine whether age is a critical safety factor.
“We are excited to offer this resource to help military service members find jobs in the trucking industry. With our country’s economy growing at record pace, we know motor carriers around the country are looking to hire skilled drivers. We encourage service members, National Guard, and reservists to visit this online directory and look for a trucking job today,” said FMCSA Deputy Administrator Jim Mullen.
FMCSA cited current job growth for the U.S. economy. The September U.S. Department of Labor jobs report indicated that the national unemployment rate has fallen to a 50-year low of 3.5 percent.
