New to industry, lack of previous employment problem

Job placement of late....for new drivers....out of southern FL (i.e., south of I-4)...has always been problematic....but especially so...in recent years ...as overall freight capacity has tightened up.

Loads to/from that part of Florida are their own world.

I'm not suggesting that things are "mission impossible" for you....but to get started, you may well have to do some thinking that's "outside the box".

-- L

 

DO NOT GO TO CDL SCHOOL UNTIL YOU FIND AN EMPLOYER THAT LOOKS AT ALL OFVYOUR BACKGROUND & WANTS TO HIRE YOU.

There are many experienced drivers with no negatives not getting hired. CDL schools will tell you "now's the time to get training" even if you are missing all of your limbs & are blind from birth.

Your CDL gets stale if you don't start working within months of getting your CDL so you need to have a job waiting for you BEFORE you decide about school. Your state has money for trade school training. Its a WOIA grant & it's paid through state unemployment office. I'd look into HVAC or Electrician because there are TOO MANY truck drivers right now. THERE IS NO TRUCK DRIVER SHORTAGE. Its a false story in the media. Trucking is very slow now.

 

Get your CDL-A with endorsements and we'll help you find a job. That's about as simple as I can put it.

 

Florida free cdl school; no cost to you:
~
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act - FloridaJobs.org
Program Description The Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act creates a comprehensive workforce development system that provides assistance to job seekers and employers.

 

Arguably....one of your better options right now:

Swift Transportation has a terminal over in Ocala, FL.....

Swift Transportation Ocala, FL Terminal

I do know that Swift is currently hiring drivers our of Florida...as of the time of this writing (on paper -- at least).

What's cool about that terminal: it offers both dry van AND intermodal driving opportunities.

Those freight types are an ideal lineup for a rookie driver (been there, done both).

But -- be sure to start out with dry van, first. Intermodal is NOT a good start for total rookies.

I would try to talk to that terminal manager -- & explain your situation. See of there is genuine interest in you.

Since you lack that 'y' chromosome -- they may well cut you some slack becuz of that.

You're in demand -- you just haven't found it, yet...

In truth -- despite all the funny jokes/memes about Swift that are on the internet -- Swift is actually a pretty good place to get started.

-- L

 

For the heck of it, apply for cdl training with Roehl Transport.
CDL Training & Truck Driving Schools - Roehl.Jobs
What if the program is not available in my area?
Stay in touch with us via Roehl.Jobs or on social media as we may expand the program in areas that that meet our customers’ expectations and business objectives.

 

Swift offers special programs, great benefits, time at home, mentoring programs & more! See what makes Swift one of the best places to work for women.

 

Another person that lives South of you acquired a CDL through Florida WIOA Program and was hired by Freymiller the day he graduated from CDL school.
Not sure Freymiller still hires from there, but just letting you know companies do hire from your area. That can change, depending on new customers/accounts trucking companies acquire.