As dealerships across the commercial vehicle industry continue to search for qualified technicians, Isuzu Commercial Truck of America Inc. is turning to military veterans as part of its workforce development strategy.
The company recently launched the Isuzu Veterans Apprenticeship Program (IVAP), a nationwide initiative designed to help transitioning service members and military veterans move into technician careers at Isuzu dealerships throughout the United States.
Developed in partnership with workforce development organization ERS Elite, the program combines paid employment, hands-on shop experience, mentorship, and Isuzu-specific technical training. The goal is to create a structured pathway into the profession while helping dealerships develop a more reliable source of skilled labor.
According to Isuzu, veterans often possess many of the qualities that dealerships seek in technicians, including technical aptitude, discipline, leadership experience, and a strong focus on procedures and safety.
The program arrives at a time when the commercial vehicle industry continues to face technician shortages while also adapting to increasingly complex vehicle systems and service requirements. Dealers are under pressure to maintain service capacity and turnaround times, making technician recruitment and retention a growing priority.
Isuzu said the apprenticeship model offers dealerships a more predictable approach to building talent than relying solely on traditional hiring methods. By developing technicians through a structured training process, dealers can create a longer-term workforce pipeline while reducing some of the risks associated with recruiting experienced technicians in a competitive labor market.
"America's Veterans have spent their careers serving a mission larger than themselves while developing technical expertise, discipline, leadership, and accountability," commented Shaun Skinner, President of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America. "Through IVAP, we are creating a pathway for those skills to continue making an impact in civilian life while helping our dealer network build the next generation of highly skilled Isuzu technicians."
Veterans accepted into the program will complete a structured apprenticeship that combines dealership experience with technical and professional development training. Isuzu says the approach is intended to accelerate technician readiness while supporting long-term career growth and retention.
The company views the initiative as a long-term investment in dealer service operations and workforce development rather than a short-term recruitment campaign. For dealerships struggling to find qualified technicians, the program could provide another avenue for attracting and developing talent in an increasingly competitive labor market.
Headquartered in Anaheim, California, Isuzu Commercial Truck of America is the distributor of Isuzu commercial vehicles in the United States. Isuzu commercial trucks have been the best-selling low cab-forward trucks in America every year since 1986. For more information, visit www.isuzucv.com.