The quality driver shortage just got a new adversary in Alabama. Swift Transportation and FleetForce Truck Driver Training have announced a joint CDL training program at Swift’s Mobile terminal, creating a direct pipeline from the classroom to the cab for aspiring professional drivers in South Alabama.
“Alabama operates heavily on the trucking industry, and right now, it needs more qualified drivers to keep up.” -Tra Williams
The program will offer CDL training and certification on-site at the Mobile facility, giving students hands-on access to equipment and real-world routes from day one. Tra Williams, president and CEO of FleetForce, didn’t mince words about why this matters. “Alabama operates heavily on the trucking industry, and right now, it needs more qualified drivers to keep up.” The partnership is designed to shorten the path between getting a CDL and getting a job, with Swift positioned to hire graduates directly from the program.
For Alabama, the timing couldn’t be better. Load-to-truck ratios are at historic highs nationally — the flatbed ratio alone is up 189% year-over-year — yet carriers across the state struggle to find experienced drivers to fill open seats. Programs like this one attack the problem from both ends: training new drivers while connecting them immediately with a carrier ready to put them to work.
This is also meaningful news for military veterans and their families. Swift and FleetForce have emphasized outreach to service members transitioning to civilian careers, a priority that aligns with federal funding programs like FMCSA’s Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training grants, which specifically target CDL education for veterans and their spouses.
The Alabama Trucking Association applauds workforce partnerships that invest in the next generation of professional drivers. If you’re a carrier or training institution interested in similar workforce development opportunities, ATA staff can connect you with resources and programs designed to help Alabama companies build their driver pipelines.
