Swift Partners with FleetForce to Open CDL Training Hub in Mobile
New Alabama training site creates direct pipeline from classroom to carrier employment as Southeast freight demand climbs.
Swift Transportation and FleetForce Truck Driver Training opened a commercial driver's license training facility at Swift's Mobile, Alabama terminal on Tuesday. The program trains new drivers and offers career advancement for current Swift employees.
What CDL training options are now available at Swift's Mobile terminal?
FleetForce will provide full CDL training and certification at the Swift terminal. The program is open to new driver candidates and Swift employees seeking advancement. FleetForce President and CEO Tra Williams said the partnership responds to driver demand in a state where trucking moves 75 percent of freight.
The Mobile location is FleetForce's first in Alabama. The company operates training sites in Florida, North Carolina, and Texas.
Why Mobile matters for freight training
Mobile hosts Alabama's only seaport and the nation's 11th-largest deep-water port. Freight activity around the port continues to grow, creating demand for qualified drivers in the Southeast corridor.
"As demand grows for qualified, safe, and productive drivers, Swift is committed to helping build the next generation of transportation professionals," said Kort Chase, vice president of recruiting at Swift Transportation.
The Alabama Trucking Association reports the state's trucking sector employs nearly 8 percent of Alabama's workforce. Workers in the sector earn more than $56,000 annually. The industry generated more than $7.6 billion in wages and supported 37,370 jobs in 2023.
Load-to-truck ratios drive training expansion
Load-to-truck ratios have climbed sharply nationwide, the Alabama Trucking Association noted. The flatbed segment saw a 189 percent year-over-year increase, making workforce development programs increasingly important for carriers seeking qualified drivers.
The partnership creates a direct pipeline from training to employment. Graduates can move immediately into Swift positions or pursue opportunities with other carriers. FleetForce said the program addresses driver shortages across the Southeast while expanding access to CDL education in a state heavily dependent on trucking.
What small fleets should watch
Carriers competing for drivers in the Southeast should expect Swift to pull from the Mobile training pipeline first. The terminal-based training model gives Swift first access to graduates and reduces the carrier's recruiting costs. Independent fleets hiring in Alabama, Mississippi, and the Florida Panhandle will face tighter driver availability as more candidates flow directly into Swift's system.
Fleets that partner with established training programs that meet FMCSA entry-level driver training requirements gain similar recruiting advantages. Carriers without training partnerships should verify that driver candidates completed programs that meet the 49 CFR 380 Subpart F minimum hours and behind-the-wheel requirements before hiring.
The Mobile program launch follows a broader industry trend of carriers building in-house training capacity to control driver quality and reduce turnover. Small fleets that cannot afford dedicated training facilities should consider partnerships with regional CDL schools or community colleges that offer customized curricula.
