At a hearing Tuesday by the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, the American Trucking Associations urged members of Congress to expand key programs that support veterans’ transition into trucking careers.
Testifying on behalf of ATA was Greg Hamm, vice president of Field and Government Recruiting at Werner Enterprises and an Army veteran, who underscored the vital role veterans play in strengthening America’s supply chain.
“Veterans bring the values that make workplaces and supply chains stronger,” Hamm said. “Hiring them is not charity; it is smart business.”
Werner, an ATA member company, has about 20% of its 13,000 associates connected to the military and has a goal of reaching 25%.
“Our team of veteran recruiters has walked the same path as the men and women we serve,” Hamm said. “Veterans entering Werner can pursue careers ranging from professional driving and maintenance to safety roles, operations, and logistics management. We extend educational support, tuition assistance, and military community resource groups to ensure veterans and spouses have the tools they need to thrive.”
Hamm urged lawmakers to support policies that would expand training access and eliminate bureaucratic barriers that prevent veterans from embarking on good-paying trucking careers. His recommendations included:
- Increasing funding for the CMV Operator Safety Training Grant Program to expand access to high-quality CDL instruction
- Passing the Warriors to Workforce Act to ease housing burdens for veterans enrolled in job training programs
- Enacting the Veterans Transition to Trucking Act to streamline VA oversight of apprenticeship programs
- Passing the TRANSPORT Jobs Act to make it easier for veterans and their spouses to find jobs in the supply chain.
“I am confident that this subcommittee will build on that progress to empower veterans, their families, businesses, and our broader economy in the months ahead,” Hamm said. “Together, policymakers and employers can open more doors for the men and women who have served. We are committed to helping veterans build meaningful, long-term careers in trucking.”
