Colorado. The six-week courses prepare transitioning service members to earn their CDL so they can transition directly into trucking jobs. To date, the company has more than 800 graduates of the program. ArcBest also participates in the Department of Defense’s Skill Bridge program, which helps service members gain civilian work experience through speci c industry training, apprenticeships, or internships during the last 180 days of service. Beyond driving jobs, the company is also focused on growing other pathways for transitioning service members. “We just had our rst Marine go through the Skill Bridge program, and he ended up in our internal audit department,” notes Turner. The company has also instituted a referral program, where veterans who refer other veterans to the company for training and employment receive nancial incentives. STRONG PARTNERSHIPS XPO’s talent acquisition team works closely with the Department of Labor and Veteran Commission and Military transition of ces to create pathways for veterans and military spouses to be referred for roles at XPO. “We also have strong partnerships with organizations like Military.com and Private Public Partnership, a U.S. Army reserve program, to help attract military talent,” explains Graham. The company also offers a dedicated recruitment site for veterans with a tool that matches military experience to employment opportunities within XPO to help support their transition. As a result, veterans at XPO work across a diverse range of careers within sales, service, commercial driving, operations, technology, and human resources. XPO also offers its own Field Management Training (FMT) program, which provides comprehensive career development for entry-level professionals in freight transportation. While not speci cally designated for veterans, the 14-week program has
Melissa La brings the discipline, teamwork, and promptness she learned during her four years in the Army to her role as a dockworker for XPO's Lake Forest, California, terminal.
cargo missions. When she entered civilian life and began working for XPO, the familiarity of a transportation company helped her feel at ease. In addition, she says, “my supervisors have been great in supporting me and making sure that my goals are met.” She draws on the discipline, teamwork—and promptness—she learned while serving to bring her A-game to work each day at XPO. In the Army, La adds, everyone gets a “battle buddy” and she carries that through to her work on the docks. “I see my co-workers as my battle buddies,” she says. “We work as a team, and we stick together, no matter what.” A SENSE OF BROTHERHOOD That sense of camaraderie is something Travis Wagner, senior manager, customer operations, for ArcBest, also found crucial in his transition to logistics after 26 years in the Navy. A former Submarine Force of cer who also worked in the Pentagon and at the Of ce of Naval Intelligence, Wagner was hoping to mimic the sense of brotherhood he felt in the Navy when joining ArcBest. Though logistics was an entirely new eld to him, he was drawn to the company’s culture. “It aligned closely
proven to be a valuable transitional program for service members, and that more than 26% of the 2022 graduating class are former military personnel. For veterans facing what can be a challenging transition into the civilian workforce, knowing they bring skills that are highly valued by the transportation and logistics elds is a big plus. After making sacri cing to serve their country, being welcomed into a military-friendly workplace goes a long way. At XPO, that means things like a veteran steering committee that maintains partnerships with military organizations and guides the company’s engagement with its military and veteran employee population. The group also fosters camaraderie among military- connected employees by participating in local community events like the Pat Tillman Run in Arizona. XPO also shows appreciation for military vets’ service and sacri ce by honoring veteran drivers who achieve safety milestones with a custom military- wrapped truck. A military-friendly workplace is part of what drew Melissa La to her role as a dockworker at XPO’s terminal in Lake Forest, California. La served for four years in the Army, including one year spent in South Korea, where she drove a truck for long-distance, top-clearance
July 2023 • Inbound Logistics 127
Powered by FlippingBook