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RECRUITER AIMS TO PUT PEOPLE IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT
Once upon a time, tobacco was king in Southside Virginia. Now, the
state's Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization
Commission
will fund training "knights of the road" to boost employment in the
region.
Norman Davis, a native of Blackstone, is the recruiter for the
Driver
Workforce Development Program of the Virginia Maritime Association
(VMA). He served as Transportation Manager for Peebles, Inc., of
South Hill, for three years prior to this.
In a move that is the first of its kind in the nation, Davis is
working
to help alleviate the shortage of port truck drivers carrying
import/export goods to and from the Port of Virginia in Norfolk.
Davis
is recruiting seasoned drivers along with those available to attend
Truck Driver Training Programs such as the one offered by Southside
Virginia Community College. He noted there are many who already have
the needed skills and qualifications that may not be aware of the
jobs
available at the Port.
"The Port is 50 to 100 truck drivers short on some days," Davis
said.
"I hope to recruit about 200 more drivers per year under this
initiative."
He notes that truckers can service the Port at Hampton-Roads while
continuing to live in Southside Virginia. Davis said that 40 percent
of
the containers coming into Hampton Roads are delivered to
distribution
centers throughout the state. The Port is not open on weekends so
drivers have a five day work week and drivers with two years of
experience can earn an average of $33,990 annually. Salaries for
truck
drivers can top $50,000 annually with owner/operators having the
potential for much more. Drivers recruited by Davis will be linked
with trucking companies needing drivers. There is also great
potential
to become your own boss by being an owner/operator, Davis said.
According to Charles "Chick" Rosemond, chairperson of the VMA Inland
Transportation Committee, "The Port of Virginia is a place where
jobs
with endless possibilities for earning an above average living are
possible."
SVCC President John Cavan said, "This is another example of how SVCC
has developed a partnership to further employment opportunities and
economic development for Southside Virginia. The programs offered at
our Occupational Technical Center are critical for the
transportation
and construction industry of the entire Commonwealth."
Art Moye, Executive Vice President of VMA said, "Through the
coordinated efforts of the Tobacco Commission, SVCC, and the VMA, we
hope to help resolve unemployment in Southside Virginia and truck
driver shortages for Port cargo movements. We are pleased to have
Norman Davis onboard and we're confident he can accomplish the
program's objectives."
Duncan Quicke, Coordinator of the SVCC Truck Driver Training Program
since it opened in 1996 said, "The VMA is a top-notch organization
and
this partnership is a win-win situation for them and potential
drivers," said Duncan Quicke, Coordinator of the SVCC Truck Driver
Training Program since it opened in 1996.
SVCC's truck driver training school is highly respected in the
industry. Students can receive hands-on training in a program that
prepares them for entry level jobs in six weeks time. The cost of
the
college program is a total of $1,500 for in-state tuition and books.
The college has training locations in Blackstone, South Boston and
will
open a third site at the Greensville-Emporia Regional Airport this
spring.
Financial assistance for tuition to attend the SVCC program may be
available through the college. Additionally, funds for training may
be
available through the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and the
Workforce
Investment Board. Virginia Workforce Centers in Charlotte Court
House,
Farmville, South Boston and South Hill administer these WIA programs
for workers who might have to learn new skills because of job
displacement, and for workers unable to secure employment with their
existing skills. One of the most in-demand skills to learn is truck
driving. Over the past two years, they have sponsored over 40 people
to learn this new occupation, most trained through SVCC.
"I am recruiting people for lifetime careers," Davis said since the
port business continues to expand each year. He noted that many
drivers are reaching retirement age opening the doors for younger
drivers to fill these positions now. Also, many trucking companies
are
owned by former truck drivers providing for a rich base of mentors
for
future owners."
With new technology advances, there are new and improved ways to
deliver goods across the state and America. Jobs for truck drivers
promise a solid future on which to build a career, Davis said.
Nationwide, the trucking industry needs 20,000 long-haul drivers to
keep up with freight demands, analysts say. If the shortage
persists,
the American Trucking Associations forecasts an 111,000 driver
shortfall by 2014.
According to the VMA, trucks move over two thirds of the containers
that flow through the Port of Virginia. To become your own лknight
of
the road', contact Davis at work 434-955-0492 or home at
434-447-7794
or through email at
ndavis@portofhamptonroads.com