Will Miller, Business Engagement Manager for the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) identified a persistent challenge the department faces each winter: a shortage of snowplow drivers with Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs). This shortage can lead to delayed snow removal, hazardous driving conditions, increased travel delays, and added strain on the existing workforce. Recognizing that competition with private industry for qualified drivers further complicates efforts to maintain service levels—especially on secondary and rural roads—Miller sought an innovative solution to address the issue.
A Practical Solution: Leveraging National Guard Soldiers
To bridge this gap, ITD proposes establishing a voluntary reserve pool of National Guard soldiers who live in communities across Idaho and have heavy equipment experience to support winter operations. Many of these soldiers already possess training equivalent to CDL holders through their experience with military equipment and could provide critical assistance in keeping Idaho’s roads safe during severe weather.
Key Benefits
- Immediate Workforce Support – National Guard soldiers can step in during peak winter conditions, ensuring plows stay in operation.
- Trained and Ready – Many soldiers already have the necessary skills, reducing the need for extensive training.
- Statewide Coverage – Soldiers are located throughout Idaho, familiar with local terrain, and ready to assist their communities.
- Career Development – This program can help soldiers convert military experience into a CDL, opening a breadth of civilian career opportunities.
- Public Trust & Teamwork – The discipline and reliability of the National Guard align with ITD’s mission to keep roads safe.
Implementation Strategy
- Familiarization – Begin familiarizing the Idaho National Guard with this opportunity so they can communicate the benefits to their personnel. By ensuring the organization understands the process and requirements, they can better inform their members about the value of this opportunity.
- Specialized Training – Provide refresher courses on snowplow operations, safety procedures, and route navigation.
- Pathway to CDL Certification – Assist soldiers in translating military driving experience into civilian credentials.
- Ongoing Evaluation – Measure the program’s effectiveness in improving winter operations and adjust as needed.
By tapping into this existing pool of skilled individuals, ITD can enhance its winter operations, reduce strain on its workforce, and improve public safety—all while offering valuable career-building opportunities for Idaho National Guard soldiers.
Progress and Next Steps
Recent discussions between ITD and the Idaho National Guard have helped clarify communication gaps regarding CDL requirements. As a result, updated information has been shared with Guard members, increasing awareness of CDL opportunities. This initiative is expected to generate more CDL holders across Idaho, expanding ITD’s recruitment pool.
Moving forward, ITD has several options to leverage this talent, including temporary winter support, an on-call reserve list for extreme weather events, or year-round heavy equipment operations. Efforts are also underway to connect DMV representatives with military career fairs to further promote this opportunity and leverage this potentially untapped resource.
Scott Conrad, Albert Asker, and the DMV community have been wonderful partners in helping turn this initiative into an innovation with real potential to support ITD’s mission. Though this effort is still in its early stages, ITD anticipates positive outcomes in the coming year as these steps take effect.
