Swift Transportation and FleetForce Team Up to Open CDL Training Hub in Mobile, Alabama
Two heavyweights in the American trucking and driver training industries have joined forces to tackle one of the sector's most pressing challenges: the ongoing shortage of qualified commercial drivers. Swift Transportation, one of the nation's largest trucking carriers, has partnered with FleetForce Truck Driver Training to launch a commercial driver's license (CDL) training and certification program at Swift's terminal in Mobile, Alabama. The initiative marks a significant milestone for both companies and for the state of Alabama's freight and logistics ecosystem.
Why Mobile, Alabama? A Strategic Gateway for Freight
The choice of Mobile as the launch site for this training hub is no coincidence. Mobile is home to Alabama's only seaport, which also ranks as the nation's 11th-largest deep-water port. This makes the city a critical node in the Southeast's freight network, handling enormous volumes of goods that move in and out of the region daily. With freight activity continuing to climb around the port city, the demand for skilled, licensed commercial drivers has never been greater.
According to FleetForce, trucking is responsible for moving approximately 75% of all freight that enters, leaves, or moves through Alabama. That staggering figure underscores just how dependent the state's economy is on the trucking industry — and how critical it is to maintain a healthy pipeline of trained, certified drivers ready to keep goods flowing.
FleetForce Expands Its Footprint Into Alabama
For FleetForce Truck Driver Training, the Mobile location represents a landmark expansion. The company, which has been rapidly growing its training operations across the South and Southeast, previously operated training centers in Florida, North Carolina, and Texas. The new Alabama hub is FleetForce's first location in the state and signals the company's broader ambition to bring professional CDL education to underserved markets throughout the region.
FleetForce President and CEO Tra Williams emphasized the urgency behind the move. "Alabama operates heavily on the trucking industry, and right now, it needs more qualified drivers to keep up," Williams said in a news release. "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."
By embedding the training program directly within Swift's existing terminal infrastructure, FleetForce is able to offer a uniquely integrated learning environment — one where students can gain real-world exposure to professional trucking operations from day one.
A Direct Pipeline from Training to Employment
One of the most compelling aspects of this partnership is its built-in employment pathway. The CDL training program is specifically designed to create a direct pipeline from training to a job offer, reducing the uncertainty that often discourages potential drivers from pursuing a CDL in the first place. New trainees who complete the program will be well-positioned to join Swift's driver workforce, providing the company with a consistent stream of qualified candidates.
Beyond attracting new drivers to the industry, the Mobile program also opens doors for career advancement among Swift's current employees. Workers already employed at the terminal who wish to obtain or upgrade their CDL credentials will have access to the training program, allowing Swift to grow talent from within and improve employee retention.
Kort Chase, vice president of recruiting at Swift Transportation, highlighted the company's long-term commitment to workforce development. "As demand grows for qualified, safe, and productive drivers, Swift is committed to helping build the next generation of transportation professionals," Chase said.
Addressing Alabama's Driver Shortage Head-On
The trucking industry has faced a well-documented driver shortage for years, and Alabama is no exception to this national trend. An aging driver workforce, combined with rising freight volumes and stricter licensing requirements, has made it increasingly difficult for carriers to recruit and retain enough qualified drivers to meet demand. Initiatives like the Swift-FleetForce partnership are precisely the kind of targeted, industry-driven solutions that experts say are needed to close the gap.
The Alabama Trucking Association reports that workers in the state's trucking sector earn more than $56,000 annually on average, and that the industry accounts for nearly 8% of Alabama's total workforce. These are not entry-level, dead-end jobs — they are skilled, well-compensated careers that offer long-term stability and growth potential. By raising awareness of these opportunities and making CDL training more accessible in communities like Mobile, FleetForce and Swift are helping to reshape the public perception of trucking as a career path.
What the CDL Training Program Covers
While full curriculum details are still emerging, CDL training programs of this type typically encompass a comprehensive set of skills and knowledge areas that prepare students for the rigors of professional truck driving. Participants can generally expect training in areas such as:
- Pre-trip vehicle inspection procedures and safety protocols
- Basic and advanced vehicle control, including backing and maneuvering
- Hours of service regulations and electronic logging device (ELD) compliance
- Cargo securement and load distribution requirements
- Hazardous materials awareness and transportation regulations
- Defensive driving techniques and accident prevention strategies
Training is conducted in a structured, hands-on environment designed to meet the federal standards required for CDL certification. Upon successful completion, graduates are eligible to sit for their state CDL examination and begin their professional driving careers.
The Bigger Picture: Building the Southeast's Trucking Workforce
The Swift-FleetForce partnership in Mobile is part of a broader trend of carriers and training providers working together to solve workforce challenges through collaborative, community-rooted programs. As e-commerce growth, nearshoring trends, and infrastructure investment continue to drive freight demand across the United States, the need for skilled commercial drivers will only intensify in the years ahead.
For Alabama, a state whose economy is deeply intertwined with the movement of goods through its ports, highways, and distribution centers, investments in CDL training infrastructure are investments in long-term economic resilience. The Mobile training hub stands as a model for how the private sector can step up to address workforce shortages without waiting for government solutions — and in doing so, create meaningful career opportunities for workers across the region.
As FleetForce continues to expand its national footprint and Swift deepens its commitment to driver development, the trucking industry as a whole moves one step closer to closing the driver gap that has long constrained its capacity and growth potential.