Fastport wins 2026 Career Catalyst Award for trucking apprenticeships

Fastport was named a 2026 Career Catalyst Award recipient by the Next Generation in Trucking Association for building entry-level driver pipelines and expanding apprenticeship pathways. The recognition highlights growing efforts to address trucking’s talent shortage by bringing more new, veteran and military-connected workers into the industry.

Why it matters: - Fastport’s work targets trucking’s long-running workforce gap by creating structured entry points for new drivers. - The recognition puts a spotlight on apprenticeship-based hiring as the industry looks for ways to attract and retain talent. - The award also underscores the role of industry partners, not just fleets, in building the future labor pipeline.

What happened: - Fastport was named a 2026 Career Catalyst Award recipient by the Next Generation in Trucking Association. - NextGen announced the 2026 award recipients on July 26, 2026. - Fastport won in the Industry Partner category. - The category honors organizations that support hiring, training, apprenticeships and career pipeline development across trucking and transportation.

The details: - Fastport develops apprenticeship programs and entry-level driver pathways for people with little or no trucking experience. - Fastport works with CDL schools, carriers, veterans service organizations and workforce development groups nationwide. - Fastport’s model includes hands-on CDL training and structured career development for new drivers. - Fastport also connects CDL school graduates with employment opportunities through carrier partnerships. - Fastport has dedicated pathways for veterans and military-connected job seekers moving into civilian transportation jobs. - Fastport uses technology-driven matching tools to connect job seekers with carriers. - Fastport hosts the annual Veteran Ready Summit for employers, HR leaders and workforce advocates focused on military hiring in trucking and logistics. - NextGen said the 2026 program expanded eligibility beyond trucking fleets to include industry partners that strengthen talent pipelines through training, mentorship, school engagement and apprenticeship development. - The awards are presented in partnership with the National Transportation Institute and Engine.

Between the lines: - The award reflects a broader shift in trucking toward “earn while you learn” pathways instead of relying mainly on experienced-driver hiring. - Fastport’s focus on apprenticeships and military-connected talent suggests employers are widening recruitment to reach workers who may not have considered trucking first. - The recognition from NextGen also signals that workforce intermediaries are becoming more central to solving labor shortages.

What Fastport and NextGen said: - Dave Harrison, Fastport’s executive director for workforce development, government programs and military employment issues, said the company’s mission is to build real pathways into trucking and that driving can offer a fast path to a well-paying career. - Harrison said Fastport is honored by the recognition and motivated to keep building pipelines the industry depends on. - Lindsey Trent, president and co-founder of Next Generation in Trucking, said Fastport exemplifies a Career Catalyst by creating innovative pathways into trucking. - Trent said Fastport has helped train more than 30,000 apprentices as the U.S. Department of Labor’s industry intermediary for Registered Apprenticeships in Transportation, Distribution and Logistics. - Trent said Fastport’s Registered Apprenticeship programs and partnership with NextGen have created a scalable model for employers, students, young adults, veterans and adults from all backgrounds.

What’s next: - Fastport will continue promoting apprenticeship partnerships and workforce development programs. - The company is directing readers to more information about its workforce development programs and apprenticeship partnerships. - NextGen will continue using the Career Catalyst Awards to highlight organizations building the trucking workforce.

The bottom line: - Fastport is being recognized for turning trucking recruitment into a structured career pipeline, not just a hiring process.