Employable without work history?

Yes, some companies that operate don't fully seem to understand this. About two months ago I was trying to help a young driver get an online application for a local company in. The company don't accept paper applications. No matter what we did we could not get past the employment history. They had it set to look for ten years and if you did not account for the ten years it returned an error. The guy who was a great qualified driver just gave up and accepted another job offer.

 

If you don't want otr try these. Some hire with no CDL and some require a CDL permit.
These have training programs which may include doing some dock work and driver helper.
Sygma Network
Sysco
Southeastern Freight Lines
ABF
Gordon Food Service
McLane Company

 

Yes, you have to start at the bottom, but I would rather start at the bottom locally than at the bottom otr. As far as sysco, I do not work there. But I personally know a couple people who work there in the Chicago area, they told me that Sysco advertises that you need 2 years experience but will hire drivers with no experience if they need people badly enough and you have a clean record. I dont know if it is true, but they have no reason to lie. Unfortunately I do not have a clean record so I got turned down there.

 

First of all do your wallet a huge favor and DO NOT pay $4k for CDL training. Community colleges offer it for half of that if not less. Same thing with schools in Chicago.

 

The state might pay for CDL school. Check with the unemployment office.
You will need original social security card(not laminated) and original birth certificate.

Roehl Transport has their own CDL school and has flexible work schedules.
If you go the private or community college CDL route and want to try OTR, then Abilene Motor Express is a good one. Their headquartered in Richmond,VA.

Earl Henderson Trucking is a good option for OTR also. Can't find any negative posts about this company.

 

Indeed. Do you think him not working the last five years will be an issue? I personally don't think so, sure companies will pass on him but if he puts in enough applications somebody will pick him up.

 

He won't have a problem having been a stay at home dad. A few companies will be skeptical but there's plenty of other options.

 

I dont know if yrc operates in the area, but they have a training program

 

I came out of retirement to return to trucking and had a big gap. I was told the main thing they are concerned about with employment gaps, is that you may have had a criminal background ( jail time ) that wasn't disclosed. As long as you account for the time, you should be fine.
Also, I live in Arizona, and went through Workforce Investment Act ( WIA ). Took some classes and they paid for my truck school 100%. They give you classes on returning to the workforce, creating a good resume, etc. Maybe they have something similar where you are. Good Luck

 

Not always true. 5k in Idaho at a CC.