Webinar

The Safe Driver Apprenticeship Program, including Registered Apprenticeship, Nuts and Bolts

This webinar is open to ATA members.

The Safe Driver Apprenticeship Program, including Registered Apprenticeship, Nuts and Bolts 

Webinar Description:  

Join ATA, FMCSA, USDOL and FASTPORT, as well as ATA members with experience in registered apprenticeship programs, to discuss how your company can participate in the under 21 program or Safe Driver Apprenticeship Program (SDAP) using ATA’s easy to join registered apprenticeship truck driver program.  We will explain how to reap the benefits of the gold standard in training for the next generation of drivers and walk attendees through how to join, and the benefits of joining the program including: 

  • 90% retention for registered apprentice graduates 
  • Financial support at the federal, state, and local levels to assist apprentices and motor carriers in setting up a program 
  • Eligibility for younger driver program at FMCSA 
  • And everything in between 

We will then shift to discuss the newly launched Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program (under 21 program or SDAP). A registered apprenticeship, such as one sponsored by ATA, is a prerequisite requirement. FMCSA will be on to answer questions.

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About the Presenters:  

Nick Geale, ATA VP for Workforce     

Mr. Geale is ATA’s Vice President for Workforce Policy. Before joining ATA, he served as Senior Advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation and Chief of Staff, Deputy and Acting Solicitor at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Previously, he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as a member of the National Mediation Board (NMB) and served as its Chairman for part of his term. Before joining the NMB, he was an attorney on the U.S. Senate HELP Committee. Mr. Geale also served in DOL as an attorney in the Office of the Solicitor and as Counselor to the Deputy Secretary. His prior work includes labor and employment matters, general commercial litigation, and alternative dispute resolution in private and public practice, including serving as Assistant General Counsel for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. 

David Harrison, Executive Director for Work Force Development, Government Programs and Military Employment Issues, FASTPORT 

Mr. Harrison has extensive experience coordinating and advising on the most effective implementation models for registered apprenticeships and military hiring programs. As the Executive Director of National Apprenticeship, he has successfully designed and implemented numerous national standards for registered apprenticeships. He continues to develop and perfect programs that correspond directly with DOL’s Office of Apprenticeship and industry by offering best practices, finding resources, and consulting with companies participating in Registered Apprenticeship. Mr. Harrison served several combat tours in the U.S. Army and has been an educator, high school football coach, and small fleet owner and business owner.  

Nicole Michel, FMCSA 

Nicole Michel is a program manager in the Office of Analysis, Research and Technology at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). She is responsible for managing a large portfolio of research projects aimed at reducing and preventing crashes involving large trucks and buses. She has been with the Department for six years managing high priority studies and initiatives in support of FMCSA’s mission. 

Ms. Michel holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from Loyola University, Baltimore, a Master of Science in Statistics and Finance from Towson University, and a Master of Science in Systems Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School. 

Nikki Davis, FMCSA 

Nicole “Nikki” McDavid is the Chief of the Commercial Driver’s License Division at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.  She is responsible for improving highway safety by ensuring that drivers of large trucks and buses are qualified to operate those vehicles and by removing unsafe and unqualified drivers from the highways.  Her office does this by developing, administering, and implementing policies, standards, procedures, and guidelines for the National CDL Program.   

Nikki holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and was awarded her Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Management from the University of Maryland.

Cierra Mitchell, Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor 

Cierra Mitchell has over 15 years of Apprenticeship, Workforce Development, Policy, Program Management, Business Engagement, Marketing, and Government Contract experience. Cierra currently works as a Division Director for the Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship, whose mission is to expand Registered apprenticeship opportunities across the Country.  In her current role, Cierra oversees the office’s Marketing and Business Engagement, Performance, and IT portfolio. Before coming to the Office of Apprenticeship, Cierra worked in DOL’s Employment and Training Administration Policy Office where she reviewed legislation, developed policies and assisted with the implementation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act. Before coming to DOL, Cierra was a contractor and eventually started her own business and was awarded a government contract with the Department of Defense. Under that contract, Cierra managed and led the Employment Readiness Program at Fort Eustis for several years where she helped Military spouses find rewarding careers. Helping Military spouses find employment during the recession was one of her most rewarding careers and greatest challenges, but fueled her passion to work for the Department of Labor to help improve employment and training opportunities for employers and the workforce of the future.

And an ATA Member Companies 

Michael Card, CEO & Chairman, Combined Transport, Inc.  

Mr. Card is CEO and Chairman of the Board of Combined Transport, Inc., located in Central Point, OR.  The company was founded in 1980 by Mike’s father, Richard Card. The company has 500 trucks and transports building materials, glass, produce and heavy haul equipment on flatbeds, reefers, and lowboys in 48 states and Canada. Mike was Chairman of the Oregon Trucking Associations from 2000-2001. He recently completed his term as Chairman of ATA and has been Chairman of many committees, including the Highway Policy Committee and the Insurance Task Force. As Chairman of the ATA, Mike was instrumental in creating the future leaders program, LEAD ATA, and the trucking image movement “Trucking Moves America Forward.”   

A recording will be provided to all approved registrants post webinar even if you are not able to attend. 

 
NOTICE: ATA webinars are strictly educational for our members, and are not press events. The information contained in this webinar is not intended for, nor should it be used in, the production, editing or creation of news or analysis pieces. Participants are also forbidden from using them as background for published materials, white papers or other communications. Therefore, the contents of this webinar are strictly embargoed and off the record.