For the first time since opening in 2016, the Veriha Driving School – the CDL training arm of Marinette-headquartered Veriha Trucking, Inc. – is open to the public. Though the goal, of course, is to have students drive for Veriha upon completion of the program, Tricia Sloan, director of corporate development at Veriha Driving Academy, said it is no longer a requirement of the training program. With a truck driver shortage estimated to reach 160,000 by 2030 (U.S. Department of Labor Statistics) and state regulations requiring drivers to attend an approved Class A CDL (commercial driver’s license) training program before obtaining their license, Veriha is doing its part in helping support the industry and the Greater Marinette community. Witnessing some of the struggles local companies have faced regarding finding licensed CDL drivers, is part of the reason Veriha decided to open its training academy to the public. The comprehensive six-week program, Sloan said, is designed to equip aspiring drivers with the essential skills needed to obtain their Class A CDL. The first three weeks, she said, are mostly spent in a classroom setting learning the theory and regulations of the truck driving industry. The next three weeks, students are working with an instructor on the road. Though there is no requirement for program graduates to work for Veriha following the training, The company does plan to share the positives of doing so with students. Veriha Trucking Inc. has grown from one driver– to more than 200 drivers. Veriha is a technologically driven trucking company – which stems partially from its focus on safety. Safety is not just words to us – it is our No. 1 value.” For more on Veriha Trucking, Inc., visit veriha.com. For additional information on the Veriha Driving School, visit verihadrivingacademy.com.