Schneider National, Green Bay, Wis., says it will unveil a "focused new approach" to training its Intermodal truck drivers in 2012 with the opening of a new Training Academy in Chicago.


Opening in January at 3600 Kostner Avenue, Schneider's Intermodal Training Academy is located within one of the busiest railroad regions in the United States.

The specialized training program will give Schneider's new Intermodal drivers focused, hands-on training. Each experienced new hire in Schneider's Intermodal division will complete a paid four-day curriculum, which includes classroom learning, a rail yard tour and in-truck training with an instructor that includes both highway and rail yard driving environments. To help ease the job transition, Schneider Intermodal driver associates who participate in the new training program will receive $400 in training and orientation pay.

"With the growth in our Intermodal division, we saw the opportunity to develop a new training curriculum focused exclusively on the safe driving habits and needs that are specifically associated with intermodal driving and rail ramp operations," explained Don Aiken, vice president of Intermodal.

Training drivers in their real work environment allows the company to offer more targeted technical training and educate them on an array of business- and industry-related topics that will help them be successful and safe.

For instance, Aiken said, previous training focused a lot of time and energy on trip planning, a skill required for long-distance truck drivers but not as necessary for Intermodal drivers moving freight to and from customer locations and rail yards that are close to each other.

Schneider will continue to provide over-the-road training for its other divisions.