Schneider National Taking a Focused Approach to Training Drivers for Intermodal Division

GREEN BAY, Wis. --(BUSINESS WIRE)--Schneider National, a premier provider of truckload, intermodal and logistics services, 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 and located at 3600 Kostner Avenue, Schneider’s Intermodal Training Academy is strategically located within one of the busiest railroad regions in the United States.

“Schneider’s training and on-boarding program is recognized throughout the industry for its focus on safe driving habits and driver preparedness”

The specialized training program will provide Schneider’s new Intermodal drivers the focused, hands-on training they need to be successful and safe. 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.

“Schneider’s training and on-boarding program is recognized throughout the industry for its focus on safe driving habits and driver preparedness,” said Don Aiken, vice president of Intermodal for Schneider National. “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. Our focus on preparing highly trained, safe drivers will remain; however, we will do so in a specialized manner tailoring to the type of work that a driver makes his or her career in.”

The advantages of training drivers in their real work environment are obvious, including the opportunity to offer more targeted technical training and educating them on an array of business- and industry-related topics that will help them be successful as they safely perform their work.

“It’s critical that we make the training relevant to the local and regional work that Schneider Intermodal drivers perform,” Aiken added. “Previous training focused a great deal 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 in close proximity to each other.”

Schneider will continue to provide over-the-road training for its other divisions in addition to the new specialized Intermodal training.

Schneider National is currently hiring 160 local and regional Intermodal drivers in select areas of the U.S. with earnings ranging from $42,000 to $75,000 annually, daily or weekly home time and work schedule options. For more information about Schneider Intermodal truck driving careers, visit: www.schneiderjobs.com/CompanyDrivers/DrivingOpportunities/Intermodal.

About Schneider National, Inc.

Schneider National has exceptional career paths for professional drivers and truck school graduates. Solo and team opportunities exist for company drivers and owner-operators in Schneider’s Regional, Over the Road, Dedicated, Tanker and Expedited lines of business. Local and regional solo opportunities also exist for company drivers in Schneider’s Intermodal division.

A $3.1 billion company and one of the largest truckload carriers in North America, Schneider has been a top choice for drivers for 75 years. Schneider provides drivers great weekly miles, steady freight and the comfort of knowing that “safety first and always” is the cornerstone of the company’s philosophy. Schneider is ranked a top-paying carrier by the National Transportation Institute and has been nationally recognized for its support of veterans, Reservists and National Guard members. For more information about Schneider National career opportunities, visit www.schneiderjobs.com. You can also connect with Schneider on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jobsatschneider and Twitter at www.twitter.com/schneiderjobs.