“There’s nothing better than sitting over in that passenger seat and watching the driver over here and seeing that big old smile because they just did something,” Hallada said. “They accomplished a maneuver they never thought they could do.”

Addressing the Truck Driver Shortage

The trucking industry is facing a pressing need for skilled drivers, with hundreds of thousands of job openings expected yearly. Veriha Trucking’s academy offers a comprehensive training program designed to prepare individuals for careers on the road. The program combines classroom learning with hands-on driving experience to give students the skills they need for the job.

“We not only teach you the fundamentals of driving a truck, but we teach you how to drive a truck,” Hallada emphasized. “How to survive out on the road, how to pick up loads. The day-to-day operation of the truck.”

Financial Support Makes Training Accessible

Tim Kordula, the safety, training, and development director at Veriha, shared how the academy is making training more affordable for students.

“We just received a grant from the state of Wisconsin that will reimburse Wisconsin-resident students half of their tuition,” Kordula explained. “They can come here, get their CDL, and we’re going to reimburse them half their tuition. If they decide to stay on with Veriha, we will reimburse them the other half after a year.”

While the academy’s training program spans six weeks, students also receive four weeks of paid training once they join the Veriha team, which has helped boost retention rates.

A Personalized Approach to Training

Veriha’s academy isn’t just for over-the-road drivers. For Joe Krueger, co-owner of Chipper Guys Tree Service in Wausaukee, the academy was a way to enhance his family business by earning his CDL.

“It’s not like a big tech school where you’re getting grouped in with a bunch of people,” Krueger shared. “It’s a little more personalized.”

Preparing Drivers for Success

The ultimate goal at Veriha Driving Academy is to provide students with the skills and confidence to succeed as truck drivers.

“I believe we take it a step further and we actually turn these folks into living, breathing truck drivers,” Hallada said. “They’re going to be safe; they’re going to be productive and be able to do the job by the time we’re done with them.”

A Path to a Stable Career

Training programs like Veriha Driving Academy play a vital role in preparing the next generation of skilled drivers as the trucking industry continues to grow. With comprehensive training and real-world experience, individuals are equipped with the tools they need to pursue a long-term and successful career in trucking. For more information visit Veriha’s Website.

Source: Spectrum News 1
Image Source: Spectrum News 1/ Nathan Phelps

The post Building a Successful Career in Trucking with Veriha Trucking’s Driving Academy appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Source: Women In Trucking

The 2025 Driver of the Year Finalists

• Ericka Norfleet, Owner-Operator, R.E. Garrison Trucking, Inc.

• Gina Jones, Company Driver, Werner

• Kathy Blaies, Professional Carhauler, United Road

• Sandy Winters, Company Driver, Leonard’s Express

The winner of this prestigious honor will be announced during WIT’s “Salute to Women Behind the Wheel” ceremony, which takes place on Friday, March 28, at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky.

Ericka Norfleet (R.E. Garrison Trucking, Inc.)

Source: WIT (Erica Norfleet)

Ericka Norfleet is a proud owner operator associated with R.E. Garrison Trucking, Inc., who has carved out an impressive career since earning her CDL in 2015. With more than one million safe miles logged on the road, she exemplifies professionalism, safety, and teamwork.

For Norfleet, trucking is more than just a job; it’s a family lifestyle. Together with her husband, she has spent nearly nine years as part of a driving team while raising their seven children. Her dedication to safety, coupled with her deep connection to the trucking community, makes her a standout in the industry.

Gina Jones (Werner)

Source: WIT (Gina Jones)

Gina Jones, a company driver for Werner, has seamlessly transitioned from a career in retail management to becoming a force in the trucking world. She earned her CDL at the age of 50 and has since accumulated an impressive 2.5 million accident-free miles.

Her accolades include the 2024 TA Citizen Driver Award, the Werner Safe Driver Award, and the President’s Safe Driver Club Award presented by the Nebraska Trucking Association. Jones’ leadership shines through her advocacy work as a former ATA America’s Road Team Captain and Werner Road Team member. Driving a specialty-wrapped truck that honors military service members, Jones is a part of Werner’s Operation Freedom Fleet. Off duty, she mentors aspiring drivers, supports charitable causes, and takes joy in riding her Harley Davidson or spending time with her grandchildren.

Kathy Blaies (United Road)

Source: WIT (Kathy Blaise)

With over two decades in the driver’s seat, Kathy Blaies has redefined the standards of car-hauling excellence. Blaies has maintained a damage-free career while driving more than one million miles, earning the Gold Elite Driver Award four times and the Damage Free Elite Award twice.

Known affectionately by her peers as “Carhaul Kathy,” she is admired for her meticulous attention to safety, professionalism, and mentorship within the industry. Her dedication to efficiency and quality not only leads by example but also inspires the next generation of professional car haulers.

Sandy Winters (Leonard’s Express)

Source: WIT (Sandy Winters)

Sandy Winters has dedicated over three decades to driving excellence as a company driver for Leonard’s Express. After serving four years in the U.S. Army, she entered the trucking industry in 1993 with the encouragement of a friend who noticed her innate skill with large vehicles.

Throughout her career, Winters has operated a variety of vehicles, from ink tankers to flatbeds, and navigated routes across the U.S. and Canada. Her work ethic, passion for mentoring the next generation, and commitment to the industry have earned her widespread respect. According to Winters, trucking isn’t just what she does; it’s what she loves, and she strives for excellence every single day.

Join the Celebration

Don’t miss the reveal of the 2025 Driver of the Year award winner during WIT’s “Salute to Women Behind the Wheel” event at the Mid-America Trucking Show. This recognition marks yet another milestone for women paving the way in the transportation sector.

Congratulations to these remarkable women who continue to inspire and redefine excellence in trucking.

Source: Truckers News

The post Meet the Finalists for Women in Trucking’s 2025 Driver of the Year Award appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

A Career-Boosting Opportunity

“Our CDL program is a short-term path preparing students for the CDL Class A licensing exam,” shared Molly Carney, executive director at Miller-Motte College in Raleigh. “By completing this curriculum, students can jumpstart a career path that is flexible, dependable, and important to keep our economy moving.”

This four-week training equips students with the skills to excel on the road and at pickup or delivery locations. The curriculum covers essential topics such as vehicle inspections, defensive driving, range maneuvers, motor carrier safety regulations (DOT 380-397 and certification for entry-level drivers), trip planning, cargo handling, size/weight laws, and accident prevention. Training is delivered entirely at the college’s facilities using school-provided equipment, ensuring students are prepared for real-world scenarios.

Meeting Industry Needs

If you’re wondering who needs a CDL Class A license, it applies to those operating vehicles with a Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, with towed vehicles exceeding 10,000 pounds. This designation is vital for driving tractor-trailers, tanker vehicles, flatbeds, truck-and-trailer combinations, and livestock carriers.

Upon completing the program and passing the CDL exam, graduates can immediately access a variety of roles in the transportation sector. With the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 5% growth in employment for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers between 2023 and 2033, resulting in approximately 100,000 job openings annually, this certification opens doors to a stable and crucial career path.

Nationwide CDL Training Access

Miller-Motte College is just one of Ancora Education’s many campuses offering CDL programs. Ancora operates over 200 locations, connecting aspiring professionals to quality training across institutions such as Miller-Motte Driving Institute, South Texas Vocational Technical Institute, and Arizona Automotive Institute. Beyond campuses, Ancora collaborates with community colleges, corporates, and government organizations to make CDL training widely available.

Enroll Today

Miller-Motte College’s CDL Class A program begins February 3, 2025, for weekday courses, and February 22, 2025, for weekend sessions. Enrollment is currently open, so whether you are looking to kickstart a career in trucking or seeking a career change, this four-week program offers a fast and reliable path to industry certification.

For more information or to sign up, visit miller-motte.edu.

Source: The Trucker

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