Apprenticeship in the Transportation Industry
Companies in all transportation, distribution, and logistics (TDL) sectors face complex workforce challenges in an increasingly competitive global marketplace. Apprenticeship is your proven solution for recruiting, training, and retaining world-class transportation talent.
“The Apprentice Program at Oceaneering International, Inc. is first and foremost a proven talent development strategy. There is customized related instruction and on-the-job training tailored to our specific business needs. The end result is highly skilled employees, craftsmen in their chosen trade, and the next generation of leaders ready to move forward.”
Guy St. John, Apprentice Program Manager, Oceaneering International Inc.
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Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), requires the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to establish an apprenticeship pilot program that would allow drivers between the ages of 18-20 with an intrastate commercial driver’s license to operate interstate commerce under very specific conditions.
To meet this requirement, FMCSA established the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program (SDAP). This three-year program will help individuals ages 18, 19, and 20 explore interstate trucking careers and help trucking companies hire and train new drivers through an apprenticeship pilot program. Carriers interested in participating must register an apprenticeship program with the U.S. Department of Labor. Click here for more information on the Safe Driver Pilot Program. Get started today by connecting with DOL's Transportation and Logistics Intermediary, FASTPORT.
High-Demand Apprenticeship Occupations
- Diesel Mechanic
- Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
- Avionics Technician
- Truck Driver
- Storage and Distribution Manager
To explore more apprenticeship occupations in the Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics industry, view our Occupation Finder.
90-Day Trucking Apprenticeship Challenge
During the 90-Day Trucking Apprenticeship Challenge, The U.S. Department of Labor partnered with the White House and U.S. Department of Transportation to promote the Registered Apprenticeship model as a solution to get more well-trained drivers on the road. View highlights from the White House event marking the end of the Challenge and a fact sheet summarizing its progress in expanding and improving trucking jobs.
90-Day Challenge Accomplishments
777 Expressed Interest in Apprenticeships
Including employers, industry and labor associations, education providers, intermediaries, career seekers and states
102 New Apprenticeship Programs
Were developed and approved, surpassing the goal of 90 employers in 90 days
574 New Truck Driver Apprentices
Were hired as a direct result of the challenge
Transportation Industry Resources
- Transportation Fact Sheet
- Strengthening Skills Training and Career Pathways across the Transportation Industry
- Transportation Workforce Development at Community Colleges
- Strategies to Attract and Retain a Capable Transportation Workforce
- Midwest Transportation Workforce Center
- National Training Standards Project (Transportation Learning Center)
- Transportation Industry Competency Models
For more resources, program examples, and marketing materials, go to the Transportation, Logistics & Distribution Community of Practice page.
Competency-Based Occupational Frameworks
In collaboration with the Urban Institute, we offer national frameworks for occupations in this industry that are consensus based, meaning they are drafted in cooperation with employers, educators, and other workforce and training experts. Employers and businesses can use these frameworks to fast-track the development of their registered apprenticeships. The frameworks are competency based rather than time based, meaning that abilities are emphasized over memorized knowledge or skills. The result is high-quality, competency-based occupational frameworks (CBOFs) that are freely available for all to use. CBOFs are available for the following occupations: