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Schneider’s driver training program honored for safety emphasis

Schneider National Inc. has been named to Training magazine’s Top 125 list of employers for 2007, a first-time recognition for the company. Schneider reported it was honored by the publication for its innovative and comprehensive driver training program focused on skill development for its experienced and inexperienced company drivers and its continued commitment to safety.

“Safety is Schneider National’s number one core value and it is an honor to be recognized for our dedication to training some of the safest drivers in the industry,” said Don Osterberg, vice president of safety and driver training at Schneider National. “By providing our drivers with the best and most comprehensive training available, we are ensuring the safety of both our drivers and the motoring public.”

In early 2006, Schneider implemented a nationwide simulation-based training program and introduced it to its fleet of over 15,000 drivers. As a result of the new simulator training program, Schneider said the company has lowered its new driver turnover, accident severity and frequency rates, and saved the company millions of dollars in loss-prevention costs.

Schneider driver training programs are certified by the Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI) and are tailored to meet the specific requirements mandated by each state. In addition, all of Schneider’s driving instructors are certified in a three-week intensive course and have exceptional safety performance records, stated a company release.

The annual Training Top 125 survey is in its sixth year honoring the top workforce training companies in the country. In previous years, the list comprised 100 companies but this year it was lengthened to accommodate a higher number of applicants. Each company that applies is given a quantitative and qualitative score based on such specifics as: size of organization, number of trainers, leadership development, certifications, and employee turnover and retention. A complete list of the 125 winners is available on the Web at www.trainingmag.com.