A shortage of qualified truck drivers continues to challenge fleets across the country. At the same time, federal regulators have increased enforcement against CDL schools that fail to meet training standards. In response, one training provider is changing how new drivers enter the industry by bringing instruction directly to carriers.
FleetForce Truck Driver Training is rolling out a strategic partnership program that delivers Entry-Level Driver Training directly at employer locations. Instead of sending recruits offsite, fleets can now host instructors, training materials, and compliance systems at their own facilities.
For carriers and private fleets, this approach reduces travel time for trainees while helping companies develop drivers within their own operations.
Training Where the Drivers Already Work
Tra Williams, president and CEO of FleetForce Truck Driver Training, says the idea came from the growing gap between drivers leaving the workforce and those entering it.
“Unfortunately, drivers are leaving the industry faster than we are replacing them,” Williams said during TCA Truckload 2026 in Orlando.
Industry data highlights the scale of the challenge. According to the American Trucking Associations, around 1,200 truck drivers retire each week, while more than 200,000 CDL positions remain open nationwide.
Instead of competing for experienced drivers already working for other fleets, Williams argues companies should focus on developing new drivers from within their existing workforce.
“When companies choose to cannibalize drivers by recruiting from their competitors, they are fishing in a pond that is drying up. This is what I like to call workforce hot potato, and there is a better way,” he said.
Turning Warehouse Workers into CDL Drivers
One strategy gaining attention is promoting employees from within. Workers already employed in warehouses, yards, or logistics operations can transition into driving roles with proper training.
Williams pointed to a partnership FleetForce began with Publix several years ago that focused on developing drivers internally. Over time, the retailer shifted to filling driver positions using employees already working within the company.
The approach can also lower hiring costs for fleets. According to Williams, replacing a warehouse associate or forklift operator is often far less expensive than recruiting a CDL driver with experience.
“There are some additional compounding advantages to this as well,” Williams said. “Internal promotion doesn’t just reduce driver recruiting pressure; it also increases retention and strengthens your culture.”
Training Entry-Level Drivers for the Industry
While internal promotion can help fill some positions, Williams says the industry still needs more people entering trucking for the first time.
He noted that many carriers are already hiring entry-level drivers due to the ongoing shortage.
“If we are serious about solving a 250,000 driver shortfall, while 171 drivers retire every single day, we must stop cannibalizing each other,” Williams said. “The only way we will ever solve this problem is by creating the next generation of drivers together.”
Carriers that recruit new drivers can also support their training through agreements that encourage drivers to remain with the company after earning their CDL.
Addressing Another Driver Concern: Truck Parking
Beyond training, Williams is also working on another issue frequently raised by truck drivers: parking availability.
His company, ParkPro, is partnering with the Amerant Bank Arena, home of the Florida Panthers NHL team, to provide space for up to 200 trucks this summer. The program connects fleets and drivers with underused parking areas at large venues.
The ParkPro platform already includes more than 1,100 partner locations, according to Williams. Drivers can suggest and vote on locations where parking is needed most, which helps determine future expansion.
“Many have onsite security, most have lighting and are surrounded by hotels and restaurants, and all ParkPro hosts sit near interstate access and have massive capacity,” he said.
For drivers and fleet operators alike, programs that expand training opportunities and improve parking access could help address two of the industry’s most pressing challenges.
Source: Commercial Carrier Journal
