Apprenticeships

Truck Driver Apprenticeship

Werner Enterprises pioneered and introduced the industry’s first Truck Driver Apprenticeship Program approved by both the Department of Labor and Veterans Affairs. The Truck Driver Apprenticeship Program consists of a 4,000-hour program. The program may also be up to 24 months in length.  These hours are counted by on-duty driving and on-duty non-driving and must accumulate to 120 hours each month.   

Skills in the apprenticeship program include but are not limited to; pre, post and Department of Transportation inspections, decision-making and driving skills during inclement weather and customer relations, in-cab tablet device usage, safety procedures and document preparations. The program also consists of a minimum of 144 hours of related technical instruction per year that is completed via computer-based instruction, in-cab instruction and lab work (formal/informal instruction outside the cab). Previous experience will be credited and reduce the amount of time you are in the program. For example, if the Recruiting Department credits you with four months of previous experience, you will be enrolled for only 20 months. 

The Truck Driver Apprenticeship Program is open to any Werner Enterprises Professional driver with 12 months or less of experience.

• All who enroll and complete the program will receive a completion certificate from the Department of Labor.
• Military Community members can use their eligible VA educational benefits while enrolled.
• Spouses and dependents who have eligible VA benefits can also use those while enrolled.
• Owner-operators and certified Leaders/Mentors are not eligible for the program.

Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship

Werner Enterprises introduced the industry’s first Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship Program approved by both the Department of Labor and Veterans Affairs. The Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship Program consists of a 5,500-hour program. The program may also be up to 36 months in length.  The hours are counted for all on-duty time.

Skills in the apprenticeship program include but are not limited to; preventative maintenance and inspections, brakes, ABS and traction control, diesel engine fundamentals, fuel systems, drivetrains, steering and suspension, tire and wheel assemblies, welding, CDL training and parts operations.  The program also consists of a minimum of 156 hours of related technical instruction per year that is completed via computer-based instruction and lab work (formal/informal instruction). Previous experience will be credited and reduce the amount of time you are in the program. For example, if the HR department credits or deems that you have previous experience, you will have reduced the number of months in the apprenticeship program.

The Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship Program is open to any Werner Enterprises Diesel Mechanic with 18 months or less experience.

• All who enroll and complete the program will receive a completion certificate from the Department of Labor.
• Military Community Members can use their eligible VA Educational benefits while enrolled.
• Spouses and dependents that have eligible VA benefits can also use those while enrolled.
• Supervisors are not eligible for the program.

Transportation Manager Apprenticeship

Werner Enterprises has recently introduced its Transportation Management Apprenticeship Program, which has been approved by both the Department of Labor and Veterans Affairs. The Transportation Management Program consists of a 2,000-hour program. The program may also be up to 12 months in length. The hours are counted for all on-duty time.

Skills in the Transportation Management Apprenticeship Program include but are not limited to; classroom training, life on the road series training, driver focus training, customer service, role management and decision-making. The program also consists of a minimum of 156 hours of related technical instruction for the year that is completed via computer-based instruction and lab work (formal/informal instruction). Previous experience will be credited and reduce the amount of time you are in the program.

The Transportation Management Apprenticeship Program is open to any Transportation Manager or equivalent with three months or less experience. 

• All who enroll and complete the program will receive a completion certificate from the Department of Labor.
• Military Community Members can use their eligible VA Educational benefits while enrolled.
• Spouses and dependents that have eligible VA benefits can also use those while enrolled.
• Supervisors are not eligible for the program.