Oklahoma City, OK — Freymiller, Inc. has officially received the 2023 Partner in Progress award from Central Technology Center for its role in a specialized program designed to place justice-involved individuals into the trucking workforce. This initiative, which combines formal CDL-A driver training with immediate job placement, has successfully certified 156 graduates since its inception in 2019.
The logistics industry has long struggled with a persistent shortage of qualified personnel, prompting carriers to look beyond traditional recruitment pipelines. Freymiller, a family-owned carrier with roots tracing back over 50 years, shifted its headquarters to Oklahoma specifically to tap into the state’s favorable trucking climate. By collaborating with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, Governor Stitt, and Central Tech, the company established a pathway for incarcerated individuals to obtain a Class A CDL, providing them with a trade that is statistically proven to reduce recidivism rates by 48%.
This program represents a calculated move to address the labor gap while fulfilling a corporate social responsibility mandate. To date, Freymiller has hired 49 of the program’s graduates, with another 30 currently awaiting release to begin their careers behind the wheel. The Oklahoma State Senate has taken notice of these results, scheduling a formal Citation of Recognition to be presented on the Senate floor to honor the company's commitment to workforce development.
What This Means for Drivers
The success of the Second Chance Program highlights a growing trend among trucking companies hiring from non-traditional talent pools to fill OTR truck driver positions. For a newly licensed CDL-A driver, this program provides a clear path to employment despite past legal hurdles that often act as a barrier to entry in the logistics sector. As the industry continues to evolve, these partnerships demonstrate that professional training and a clean safety record are the primary metrics that matter for long-term success on the road.
Industry Reaction
The broader trucking sector is increasingly recognizing that recidivism reduction programs are a viable solution to the chronic driver shortage. By providing a structured career path, carriers like Freymiller are not only securing a stable pipeline of labor but are also helping to stabilize the lives of individuals entering the workforce. Industry advocates note that when carriers invest in training infrastructure, they improve the overall quality and reliability of the driver pool, benefiting both the company and the highway safety profile of the fleet.
Key Points
- Freymiller has successfully transitioned 156 justice-involved individuals into the trucking industry since 2019.
- The program is a joint effort involving Central Tech, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, and the Governor’s office.
- 49 graduates are currently employed by Freymiller, with 30 more awaiting release to join the fleet.
- The company is slated to receive an official Citation of Recognition from the Oklahoma State Senate for its contributions to the state’s workforce.
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