Does anyone have any info on Werner's Apprenticeship?
I recently visited their website and was reading about it.
But all it really says is that you will have job related instruction
and training or something like that for 1 yr and then be certified as a
werner driver. You also receive a Department of Labor certificate.
I don't really understand what the difference is between the apprenticeship program and just applying as a regular student driver.
Does it mean that it takes 1 yr before you can go solo without a trainer?!!
Is there anyone who knows more about this or has done or is doing the apprenticeship that could let me know? I would really appreciate any
info about. Thank you in advance.

 

My first instinct is to tell you to run. Look at Werner's rating as a company and stop some drivers and ask them how they like working for them. In my humble opinion the "Apprentice" position is just more spin and snake oil. There is a reason Werner, J.B Hunt, Swift and Schneider report 160 to 180% turn over. Find a company with at least an above average rating and find out what it takes to go to them.

 

The last time I saw an ad for it it made it sould as if it was only available to those leaving the armed forces or those who have retired from the armed forces. The slogan for the ad if I remember right was "Operation Freedom" or something like that. Which made me kind of eerie because with a title like that and the fact that the fed gov't is involved I could picture some people be recruited to go to Iraq to drive a truck. Go to a truck stop and in the truck driver jobs booklets that are in the boxes for free have ads for Werners apprenticeship progam in them if that would be any help to you.

 

This is something some branches of the military are getting into as well. From what I gather, companies and the government are trying to establish a certification process for various jobs. In a way, its beneficial for a newbie. I got a DOL certificate for logistics when I was with the National Guard.

 

Basically it is Werner's training program which has been approved by the Veterans Education Administration for payment using the GI Bill or other forms of education benefits. Werner has "proved" to the government their training program is actually an apprentice program training new drivers in a new life skill. Whether it is or not, I'm not commenting on it. It is a good deal for veterans who decide to go with Werner for their training as they can draw full benefits from their GI Bill for the first 6 months (equal to about $1085 per month), then it reduces from there for the next 3 months (75% I think) and then again for the final 3 months of the year. When new drivers are learning how to maximize their miles and have the smallest paycheck it help to suppliment their income. I wish more companies would help out veterans like that. BOL