GARY - Schneider National Inc., the largest truckload carrier in North America, plans to conduct a one-day, mass hiring of up to 350 truck drivers later this month in Gary.
The company, which has one of its largest terminals nationwide in Gary, will conduct the hiring from 2 to 6 p.m. April 30, at the Genesis Convention Center, Mayor Rudy Clay said.
"They picked Gary because ... Gary is one of their biggest hubs, and it has the skilled people they need," Clay said.
Schneider National advertises pay of between $36,000 and $46,000 per year for inexperienced drivers on its Web site and up to $80,000 per year for experienced drivers. A full package of benefits is offered.
The company operates its own training academy, which can qualify those with no truck driving experience for their commercial driver's license.
The only qualifications necessary to apply at the Genesis center are a minimum age of 21 and a regular driver's license, said Phyllis Barlow, a consultant helping arrange the event for the city of Gary. Hiring on April 30 will be contingent on a background check of the applicant and U.S. Department of Transportation physicals and drug screen.
Schneider National will consider hiring people with felony convictions more than 10 years old or misdemeanor convictions more than 5 years old, Barlow said.
Clay said the city of Gary alone will not be able to fulfill the company's need for 350 drivers and the event is open to all of Northwest Indiana.
The Schneider National hiring comes as unemployment is rising in Northwest Indiana, hitting 5.8 percent in February, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The national rate is currently 5.2 percent.
The mayor gave credit to his transportation adviser, Adrian Muhammad, and Schneider National trucking officials for arranging the one-day mass hiring.
Schneider National officials could not be reached late Thursday afternoon.
The Green Bay, Wis.-based company has 20,000 employees and 15,000 drivers worldwide, its Web site shows. It is a privately held company.
Besides the city of Gary and Schneider National, the event is sponsored by WorkOne, Gary-Hammond-East Chicago Empowerment Zone, and the Employment Resource Center of the city of Gary.
READY TO DRIVE?
What: Schneider National Inc. will hire as many as 350 truck drivers
When: 2 to 6 p.m. April 30
Where: Genesis Convention Center, 1 Genesis Center Plaza, Gary
Qualifications: Applicants must be 21 and have a regular driver's license. Hiring will be contingent on a background check of the applicant and federal Department of Transportation physicals and drug screen.
Sponsors: WorkOne, Gary-Hammond-East Chicago Empowerment Zone and the Employment Resource Center of the city of Gary
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