Presented by Prevost, the UMA and the College of Southern Maryland, Prevost Prep is designed specifically for drivers to meet the driver training needs of the motorcoach industry. Prevost recognizes that motorcoach operators are greatly challenged in recruiting, training and retaining qualified drivers.

“Drivers are one of the industry’s cornerstone resources and we must do what we can to encourage skilled drivers to enter the industry. Training is an important part of that attraction and retention,” said Gaetan Bolduc, Prevost’s CEO.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations require that bus and motorcoach operators ensure their drivers are knowledgeable and comply with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules and regulations. Prevost Prep prepares the driver to pass the CDL written exam or, for those who already have a CDL, gives a thorough review of applicable industry rules and regulations.

Through this program driver training can be quantified and proven for insurance purposes. Participants that have completed the program satisfactorily will receive a letter of completion that can be submitted to an insurance company for insurance renewals.

Prevost has committed to supporting this driving program over the next 10 years to expand the curriculum, update existing courses and provide scholarships for drivers. The scholarships will be awarded by the UMA.

To inaugurate the Prevost Prep program, Prevost has pledged $10,000 in scholarships of $200 toward tuition to the first 50 companies that sign up for the spring 2014 semester of the Prevost Preparatory School for Professional Motorcoach Drivers. No further scholarship application process is necessary for this spring semester only. Scholarships for future semesters will go through a normal application process through the UMA.

Prevost also announced it partnered with Hire Heroes USA to assist motorcoach operators in recruiting qualified drivers and maintenance personnel.

If operators have an open position for a qualified driver or maintenance person, you can post the position on the Hire Heroes USA website, linking the open position to U.S. Military veterans. Prevost is offering this service to all motorcoach operators at no cost, as they recognize the value of bringing qualified veterans to the industry.

Hire Heroes USA has built a national reputation of excellence for its success at helping unemployed veterans find jobs. Their team is comprised of military veterans — many with combat experience in Iraq and Afghanistan — and business veterans. That mix of military and civilian experience has proven essential to effectively training veterans in the skills of self-marketing, then networking them into good jobs with great companies.

By facilitating a matching process through their online job forum that focuses on pairing a veteran’s career interests, qualifications and transferable skills, they are able to provide employers with quality, military-trained candidates. Partnering with Hire Heroes USA means providing stable, family-wage opportunities to men and women who have honorably served our country.