Training available at new school SALINA — Dot Transportation, Inc. (DTI) says it wants to hire more drivers, and at the same time, has also started an in-house, driver-training school at the company’s Liverpool distribution center in the town of Salina. DTI is […]
Training available at new school
SALINA — Dot Transportation, Inc. (DTI) says it wants to hire more drivers, and at the same time, has also started an in-house, driver-training school at the company’s Liverpool distribution center in the town of Salina.
DTI is looking to hire about 25 truck drivers in Liverpool in the coming months to meet “growing customer demand and support continued business growth,” the company said.
DTI is the affiliate trucking company of Dot Foods, which describes itself as North America’s largest food-industry redistributor.
Through DTI’s in-house driver training school, student drivers can earn their Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL) in 12 weeks, compared to the 16 to 18 weeks “typical of external programs,” DTI said in its announcement. Participants are paid $800 per week during training, with no out-of-pocket tuition. DTI covers the cost through a $1,500 prorated loan, which is “fully forgiven” after two years of employment.
“Our drivers keep this company running,” Sean Walsh, director of transportation at DTI, said in the announcement. “They’re out on the road making sure our customers get what they need. We’ve been fortunate to partner with great schools in all of our communities; a few years ago we opened our first in-house school at our Maryland facility to help us get qualified drivers into our training program sooner and set them on a clear path to a solid career with support from day one. It was a big success, and we’re excited to have that model in place here at our New York facility.”
The new driver-training program gives individuals an opportunity to earn their commercial driver’s license while starting a long-term career with the company, DTI added.
The training includes four weeks of classroom instruction and hands-on learning in DTI’s truck yards, where student drivers get familiar with company equipment and meet in-house support teams. That’s followed by eight weeks of over-the-road training alongside experienced DTI driver trainers. Graduates move directly into full-time driving roles with DTI.
“Our approach sets us apart from other driving training programs and companies,” said Adam Smith, general manager of Dot’s Liverpool distribution center, contended. “We believe the best way to set someone up for success is by putting them behind the wheel with a trainer who’s truly invested in their growth.”
Other job details
In addition to paid training, DTI “offers one of the most competitive compensation packages in the industry,” the firm contends. The average DTI New York driver salary is $100,000, with first year Liverpool drivers averaging $86,000.
DTI also offers full-time drivers benefits that include pay for all job activities such as mileage, deliveries, pickups, layovers, and detention time. DTI additionally provides quarterly and annual bonuses; paid time off; health, dental, and vision coverage; a 401(k) with company match; short- and long-term disability; experience-based pay increases; and additional compensation for unloading freight.
DTI also contends flexibility is “one of the biggest benefits” of working as a company driver, as they can choose from several schedule options. DTI offers traditional regional schedules that get drivers home two days a week, along with four days on and four days off, or six days on and three off options. This scheduling “helps drivers balance work and life more easily, giving them more consistent time at home,” the company said.
DTI also offers both delivery and no-touch freight positions, depending on the driver’s preference.
Dot Foods was founded in 1960 by Robert and Dorothy Tracy in Mount Sterling, Illinois, and remains family-owned and operated. DTI employs more than 2,000 drivers across 13 U.S. distribution centers and 44 terminal locations nationwide, the company said.