When the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced its Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program, a product of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law enacted in 2021, the trucking industry breathed a long-overdue sigh of relief.
At last, many thought, Washington had heard the industry’s pleas to create some path to allow drivers under 21 to operate in interstate commerce as a means to help ease the pervasive driver shortage.
RELATED: FMCSA PLANS TO REVISE APPRENTICESHIP PILOT PROGRAM
In the time since, however, the program has sputtered, attracting participation by only a handful of carriers. Virtually no small companies, which some believe the bill would benefit most, have stepped up to take part.
Critics blamed the low response to what they described as excessive regulatory and reporting requirements in the program. The most criticized portions of which were requirements for participating carriers to register with the Department of Labor, mandating driver-facing cameras in the cab, and reporting requirements.
Whatever the reason, the apprenticeship pilot was widely panned and appeared to be headed for the scrap heap.
Not so fast, say some carriers who have given the program a try.
Tim Chrulski, COO of Ohio-based Garner Trucking, a participant in the pilot program, says his company didn’t take much issue with the requirements of the program as written.
“The program itself is one that, frankly, I’ve believed in for a long time,” he said.
“Before all of this even started, we put together an apprenticeship program of our own so we could at least train drivers under the age of 21 to be able to operate in the state of Ohio,” he shared. “So, when this program came to fruition, it was extremely exciting for our organization. I think this is one of the best things to happen to the industry in a long time.”
Some naysayers may be focusing on the wrong things.
“First and foremost, the most important thing is that we have safe drivers driving tractor-trailers, because my family and your family are out on the same road sharing the same highways,” Chrulski said.
“I think the way that the program is structured, with the amount of hours that you have to complete, the accountability for reporting, and the need for safety equipment inside the trucks — all of those things are beneficial, and really very productive for the program,” he said.
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