Peterbilt’s successful partnership with Transition Overwatch is paying dividends for both parties — supporting veterans as they transition into post-military careers while Peterbilt continues to supplement its national dealer technician network with hardworking, capable veterans eager to enter the trucking industry.
Peterbilt partnered with Transition Overwatch in 2023 and was immediately impressed with the program.
“I have personally worked with several veteran recruiting agencies throughout my career, at the dealership level and while at Peterbilt. All of them have their niches and are good at sourcing veteran talent. However, none of them come to the table with unique, out-of-the-box ideas like we get working with Transition Overwatch,” says Ron Crisp, Peterbilt technician and veterans program manager, North America.
Crisp says Transition Overwatch’s leadership is a big reason for the success. The organization was founded in 2018 and is led by Sean Ofeldt, a former Navy SEAL with a successful history in recruitment and professional career development operations.
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“Sean and his team at Transition Overwatch have been resilient over the last three years of our partnership. They never give up,” Crisp says. “They’re always thinking of something new. Our two teams meet on a weekly basis to discuss candidates and to spitball ideas. These days, Sean and I are speaking on a daily basis. That’s how excited we are about the evolution of our veteran technician program.
Peterbilt Motors Company and Transition Overwatch
“Unlike most veteran RPO’s [recruitment process outsourcing] out there, Sean’s team wants to know our industry and our business. He and his team are always asking questions about how Peterbilt and our dealers operate. I believe that understanding our business is key to what makes this partnership with Transition Overwatch great.”
Beyond its partnership with Peterbilt, Ofeldt says Transition Overwatch also is working to launch three additional programs for the transportation industry: automotive technician, CDL and logistics.
“We were never interested in just getting a veteran a job, rather our focus is on career and financial wellness,” Ofeldt says. “Our programs are optimized for both our employer partners and the veterans we serve and, to be honest, no other solution comes close to what our programs offer.”
The organization’s diesel technician program takes 18-24 months to complete and has 15 students. Upon graduation, veterans are placed into full-time employment at a Peterbilt dealer. They are also provided a tax-free monthly allowance through their GI Bill benefits.
There are other career benefits to the program too, Ofeldt says, as students work to achieve ASE Certified Master Medium-Heavy Truck Technician credentials during their education to better achieve career and financial security upon graduation. He says graduates “have the credentials necessary to excel in the industry and the financial security needed to be successful.”
Peterbilt Motors Company and Transition Overwatch
Ofeldt says Transition Overwatch also is working hard to recruit more veterans into the program.
“We work with both active-duty military members approaching transition and veterans. For our transitioning service members, we partner with several military commands, and the majority of our promotion happens through word of mouth,” he says. “For our veterans, we partner with technical training schools and community colleges across the country to support their military veterans as they approach graduation.”
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That focus on growth entices Crisp, who says Peterbilt would love to see more graduates matriculate to its dealer network. He says the biggest challenge in scaling up on his end might be awareness.
Dealer operations are insanely busy places. Cutting through the noise with right message can be tough.
“Peterbilt service managers have very fast-paced work schedules. From customers to upper management to Peterbilt corporate headquarters, they’re getting a lot of information thrown at them from all directions, simultaneously. As a former service manager, I can empathize with the difficulty of keeping up with everything, all the time,” he says. “That being said, we’re still working on trying to find a way to keep our veteran program in front of them and on their minds, without disrupting their business.”
Crisp adds Peterbilt feels strongly that “once our dealers engage regularly in this program, they will reap the benefits. In addition, they’ll be providing an opportunity for a veteran to have a rewarding civilian career in our industry.”
Ofeldt is hopeful both sides can make it happen.
“When it comes to hiring veterans, many organizations would like to hire more veterans into their companies. However, few put the necessary resources behind their veteran initiatives to achieve success — Peterbilt has,” he says. “Since the beginning we have worked hand-in-hand with [Crisp] and the rest of the Peterbilt team to identify all the challenges and opportunities that exist internally for veterans at Peterbilt. We’ve collaborated and ultimately designed the industry’s only veteran optimized program.
He continues, “This partnership works because of the commitment received from Peterbilt’s dealer network to hire veterans through this program. Our teams work extremely well together, and aren’t afraid to pivot, because we are constantly guided by the success our veteran technicians achieve.”
