LOUISVILLE, Ky., March 22, 2017 – Kenworth, FASTPORT and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring our Heroes Program are again working together to promote the trucking industry and find America’s top rookie military veteran, who has made the transition from active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces to driving for a commercial fleet. The second season of the “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” recognition program officially kicked off at the Mid-America Trucking Show.Kenworth will again provide a fully-loaded Kenworth T680 Advantage with a comfortable and spacious 76-inch sleeper, fuel-efficient PACCAR MX-13 455-hp engine, and Eaton Fuller Advantage 10-speed automated transmission as the recognition program’s top award. The top rookie will be determined by an expert panel of judges. There are four eligibility requirements for drivers to qualify:
- Must have been active military or member of the National Guard or Reserve
- Graduated from PTDI-certified, NAPFTDS or CVTA member driver training school, with a valid CDL
- Employed by a trucking company that has made a hiring commitment and pledge to hire veterans on the Trucking Track Mentoring Program website
- First hired in a trucking position between January 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017
Nominations begin March 23 and will be accepted until June 30, 2017. Full criteria and online nomination forms can be found on the “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” website.
“Each year, there are approximately 200,000 veterans who transition out of the military and into the private sector. Our mission is to let those veterans know about the trucking industry and the opportunities that await,” said Brad Bentley, president of FASTPORT. “Trucking can be a great career choice. Part of our program is to showcase the best equipment available in our industry, and the Kenworth T680 is certainly a truck that turns heads. It’s ‘The Driver’s Truck,’ and, courtesy of Kenworth, America’s top rookie military veteran will receive the keys to Kenworth’s T680 on-highway flagship model.”
According to Kurt Swihart, Kenworth marketing director, the response of veterans considering the trucking industry was outstanding during last year’s program. “In 2016, the Hiring Our Heroes program helped more than 15,000 new veterans make the transition into trucking. Momentum is building for even more in 2017,” Swihart said. “It’s why Kenworth wanted to once again partner in the program, recognize the importance of veterans to our country, and welcome them to the trucking industry. It’s going to be a great moment when this year’s top rookie military driver receives the keys to the Kenworth T680 Advantage.”
The Hiring our Heroes program runs throughout the year, with hiring fairs slated at military bases, truck industry events, and at venues near military bases. The Kenworth T680 Advantage will be on display to inform and inspire those looking at trucking as a possible career. For more information, visit the websites of Fastport and Hiring Our Heroes.
Kenworth Truck Company is the manufacturer of The World’s Best® heavy and medium duty trucks. Kenworth’s website is Kenworth.com. Kenworth is a PACCAR company.