Schneider to recruit veterans as drivers

Schneider National announced today a new program for military veterans returning to the workforce post-deployment.

In conjunction with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Schneider National Veterans Owner-Operator Program will provide former military personnel with the training, mentoring, financial incentives and purchasing power necessary to become owner-operator truck drivers.

Schneider signed a Memorandum of Understanding solidifying details of the program with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Veterans Enterprise at its Corporate Business Center in Green Bay today.

Under the new program, Schneider will be offering veterans the opportunity to have their training subsidized, using their GI Bill benefits to cover the cost of commercial driver’s license training at Schneider’s Driver Training Academies. In addition, Schneider will work closely with vets to provide technical support so they will be able to become owner–operators six months sooner than prospective owner-operators with no military background.

“Service men and women are dedicated team players who get the job done,” said Mark Rourke, president of Schneider National Truckload. “Many share Schneider’s core values and have done work that sets them up for success as professional truck drivers and business owners. By becoming owner-operators with Schneider, veterans are able to work as their own bosses with a company that respects and values their past experience and is committed to safety and their ongoing success.”

Schneider National, which ranks sixth on G.I. Jobs magazine’s Top Military-Friendly Employer list, recognizes that the skills and talents of military veterans are an excellent fit for Schneider’s culture of safety and service. In fact, more than 25 percent of Schneider associates have military backgrounds.

Rourke added that even with small business owners exiting the industry in light of volatile fuel costs, there’s never been a better time to be an owner–operator with Schneider National. “Schneider’s fuel surcharge program — in which fuel is still about $1.61 per gallon — together with Schneider’s financing options and access to Schneider’s large freight base, is keeping more owner–operators in the game.”

“We applaud Schneider National for stepping up and volunteering to help veterans through the Veterans Owner–Operator Program,” said Scott Denniston, director of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Veterans Enterprise. “Clearly, Schneider knows the value of what veterans bring to the table: perseverance, teamwork and a keen ability to get the job done right. Plus, this program certainly falls in line with our objective of helping veterans successfully transition from military to civilian life.”

Veterans interested in learning more about Schneider’s Veterans Owner–Operator Program should contact 1-800-44-PRIDE or visit www.schneiderjobs.com.