A Q&A with Santa, and Fleet Manager Mrs Claus, of North Pole Inc
Another week has passed, and there are still plenty of positive and promising stories to highlight. We’ve collected some news about how Americans and American businesses are resiliently adjusting to the current ‘normal’ we are all in together. Keep your heads up and know that we will get through this with the help of the companies and programs highlighted below – and then some. If you have a positive story of your own, please share it with us on our social media: Twitter, LinkedIn and/or Facebook. There is never too much good news. Stay safe out there!
Technical Schools Creating CDL Programs to Help Solve the Driver Shortage
Let’s start off with some good news unrelated to the COVID-19 pandemic. Several Technical Schools and Community Colleges had robust and high-tech programs and curriculums targeting youth as early as middle-school to help bring exposure to an industry with aging personnel. From computer-based hyper-realistic learning simulators and day camps to simply highlighting opportunities to have the courses paid for and defining the ROI in this career path, there are wide-ranging approaches being taken. Read this article detailing how more schools are launching this type curriculum choice.
U.S. Express Hiring Furloughed Truckers
With America seeing a record number of unemployment filings, mostly related to hardships created by the coronavirus crisis, it’s important to know that there are companies still thriving and those companies are hiring. If you’ve unfortunately found yourself in this situation and you have a CDL license read this article to learn how U.S. Express is actively looking to put drivers in the open seats of their rigs.
As a side note, if you want to stay near your family during the stay-at-home orders across America, reach out to your local grocery stores or fast food restaurants, both of those industries are spending their advertising dollars to let it be known that they are hiring.
Bridgestone Announces Commercial Tire Operations Will be Restarting
https://www.worktruckonline.com/355364/bridgestone-restarts-commercial-tire-operations
In, perhaps a sign that America is slowly beginning to start recovering, Bridgestone Americas has plans to restart several North American operations and plants. These plans mirror the performance trend in key areas that have not been severely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. They plan to re-open the plants while still maintaining social-distancing protocols suggested by the CDC. Discover more details about the specific plans for the plants and other facilities moving forward.
Ford Developing New Respirators and Manufacturing Face Masks and Reusable Hospital Gowns
https://www.automotive-fleet.com/355633/ford-developing-new-respirators-to-combat-covid-19
Since early March, the American automotive giant – in a partnership with 3M – has been manufacturing powered, air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) and N95 respirators at 3M’s U.S.-based plants. But the two corporations have not stopped there, they have developed an all-new PAPR that is expected to meet the limited-use protocol requirements by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Furthermore, Ford is continuing to produce face masks and re-usable gowns and expects its gown production to scale up to 100,000 units per week starting April 19. Learn more about how Ford – and 3M – have responded to America’s needs for this invaluable equipment.
BYD Motors to Donate $1M in Medical Supply Donations
https://www.worktruckonline.com/355821/byd-pledges-million-in-medical-supply-donations
BYD Motors, LLC, a company whose sales of BEVs (Battery-Powered Electric Vehicles) and PHEVs (Plug-In Hybrid Electrified Vehicles) were ranked first in the world from 2015 to 2018, will be donating $1M worth of medical supplies. The donation includes PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment) and hand sanitizer to transit agencies and first responders in the U.S. and Canada. Explore how these supplies will be distributed here.