A partnership between the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services, the Workforce Investment Board, and the Arkansas Trucking Association is recruiting future truck drivers.


Through a pilot initiative, 300 recruits will have the opportunity to receive all tuition, training and related expenses necessary to become a professional truck driver - fully paid by federal and state dollars. They will attend a four to five week training course at either Arkansas State University at Newport or Mid-South Community College in West Memphis. After completing the course, graduating students will secure a job with a trucking company through job fairs at the schools.

The Arkansas Trucking Association serves as the program's industry coordinator, promoting the program through radio advertising, websites like Monster.com, newspaper ads, and other venues. The association will also serve as the industry coordinator for applications and screening.

In order to be considered for the program, applicants must complete a JOBehaviors Long Haul Truck Driver aptitude assessment. Only those who score favorably on the assessment will be accepted.

According to published reports, the progress of each graduate will be tracked. If the results are good, another class of drivers may be hitting the road next year.

If you are interested in applying for training, or if your company would like to hire one of these recruits, go to www.truckingarkansas.com for more information. The first graduates are expected to be eligible for hire by late October.