Con-way Truckload announced a partnership with U.S. Truck Driver Training School of Detroit to create affordable training opportunities for prospective truck drivers. This comes as forecasts released by economists at IHS Global Insight predict it will take until sometime beyond 2021 before the Detroit area recoups the 323,400 jobs it has lost since the beginning of 2005, when employment hit its pre-recession peak.


The aim of the partnership is to provide local training and education to enable candidates to earn their commercial driver's license and land a job as a professional, over-the-road truck driver with Con-way Truckload.

Under the program, students can take advantage of a reduced tuition rate and upon graduation would be eligible to receive tuition reimbursement of up to 50 percent from Con-way Truckload. The program is effective immediately. All students currently enrolled at the school's Detroit campus are eligible.

The company plans to hire 40 drivers per month from the school. In addition to successfully completing the program and carrying a valid CDL, candidates must also meet Con-way Truckload's employment criteria.

USTDTS and Con-way Truckload are also offering special financing and tuition payment plans for qualified candidates. In the event that a candidate does not have sufficient financial resources to fund initial tuition costs, USTDTS is allowing students to make a smaller initial payment and will provide financing for the remaining balance. The curriculum at USTDTS requires students to complete four weeks of training, which includes 160 hours of classroom instruction and driving time.

Upon successful passing of the license test and fulfilling all graduation requirements, students are issued their commercial driver's license, and become eligible for employment with Con-way Truckload.

As an added incentive, Con-way Truckload is not requiring candidates hired from USTDTS to sign a "commitment" contract. This is a typical industry practice where in return for the company's investment in tuition reimbursement, the driver commits to working for a company for a specific period of time, or they are required to pay back the tuition reimbursement. This feature is a key differentiator that provides graduates with flexibility and removes a potential future financial burden.

Newly hired graduates of USTDTS in Detroit will be required to attend Con-way Truckload's orientation program at the company's Taylor, Mich., terminal. Once orientation is completed, drivers are assigned a truck and dispatched to deliver loads throughout the U.S.

For more information: www.true2blue.com/detroit_students