A new commercial driver's license (CDL) training hub at Swift Transportation's Mobile terminal is set to expand the pool of qualified truck drivers in the Southeast, directly addressing a persistent shortage that constrains capacity for shippers and carriers moving freight through Alabama's only deep-water port. The partnership, announced Tuesday by FleetForce Truck Driver Training, creates a direct pipeline from training to employment for new drivers while offering career advancement for current Swift employees.
Context: driver shortage and growing freight demand
The launch comes as freight activity around Mobile intensifies. According to the Alabama Trucking Association, load-to-truck ratios have climbed sharply nationwide, including a 189% year-over-year increase in the flatbed segment. The association also noted that workers in Alabama's trucking sector earn more than $56,000 annually, account for nearly 8% of the state's workforce, and generated over $7.6 billion in wages supporting 37,370 jobs in 2023. FleetForce stated that trucking moves about 75% of all freight entering, leaving, or moving through Alabama.
Hub details and strategic location
FleetForce will deliver CDL training and certification at Swift's terminal in Mobile. This is FleetForce's first training location in Alabama, expanding its footprint beyond existing operations in Florida, North Carolina, and Texas. Mobile is Alabama's only seaport and the nation's 11th-largest deep-water port, making it a critical node for freight entering and leaving the state.
What this means for logistics operators
For carriers, third-party logistics providers (3PLs), and shippers operating in the Southeast, the new training hub could improve the availability of qualified drivers, especially flatbed drivers. The direct employment pipeline with Swift gives new drivers a clear path to a job, potentially reducing turnover. However, the program will take time to produce graduates, so near-term capacity relief is limited. Logistics managers should monitor the hub's throughput and consider pre-hiring arrangements with Swift to secure early access to graduates.
Statements from executives
"Alabama operates heavily on the trucking industry, and right now, it needs more qualified drivers to keep up," said Tra Williams, FleetForce President and CEO. "Our partnership with Swift is a direct response to that demand by bringing professional CDL training to Mobile, a critical point for the state’s freight network."
Kort Chase, vice president of recruiting at Swift Transportation, added: "As demand grows for qualified, safe, and productive drivers, Swift is committed to helping build the next generation of transportation professionals."
Watch list
- Speed of driver graduation rates from the Mobile hub and placement into service.
- Expansion of FleetForce to additional Alabama or Southeast locations.
- Changes in load-to-truck ratios in the flatbed and other segments, which may influence demand for trained drivers.
- Broader freight volume trends at the Port of Mobile, which could increase the need for drayage and over-the-road capacity.
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