When One Door Closes, Others Are Already Open: Job and Training Opportunities After the Standard Forwarding Closure
The closure of Standard Forwarding is more than a business headline. It’s a personal disruption for the drivers, technicians, office staff, and support teams who kept freight moving day in and day out. Losing a job can feel like the ground shifting under your feet—but it does not erase your experience, your skills, or your value.
The good news, and it is genuinely good news, is this: our region is actively hiring, and several employers and training partners are stepping forward right now with concrete opportunities for people affected by this closure.
This is not about starting over. It’s about redirecting momentum.
Transportation & Logistics: Skills That Travel Well
If you’ve worked in trucking, logistics, or fleet operations, you already hold a toolkit that many employers are looking for.
Simon’s Trucking is currently hiring for multiple positions, including Regional Hazmat & Tanker Drivers, OTR CDL-A Drivers, Tire Technicians, and Truck & Trailer Mechanics. With nearly 80 years in the industry, Simon’s emphasizes professionalism, safety, flexible home time, and in-house maintenance support—all things seasoned transportation workers understand matter .
Hirschbach Motor Lines is actively recruiting former Standard Forwarding employees across office roles, diesel technician positions, and professional driving careers. Their model includes multiple route and home-time options and clear career paths beyond the truck for those interested in operations or shop leadership .
McCoy Companies (including Foodliner, Quest Liner, Truck Country, and McCoy Construction & Forestry) are also hiring across transportation, logistics support, diesel service, equipment, and dealership roles. These opportunities span both hands-on technical work and operational support functions, with direct HR contacts available for impacted workers .
Tucker Freight Lines offers opportunities in operations, leadership, driver management, maintenance, and customer support. With a strong safety culture and a track record of growth, Tucker emphasizes long-term development, not just filling seats .
Thinking About a Shift? Training Can Be Fast—and Often Free
For some, this moment is not just about the next job, but the next chapter.
Through Opportunity Dubuque, facilitated by Northeast Iowa Community College, displaced workers can access low- to no-cost training programs designed to lead directly to high-demand careers. Many programs are completed in as little as three to six months and include hands-on learning and employer connections.
Training options include:
- CDL and transportation pathways
- Advanced manufacturing, CNC, welding, and industrial maintenance
- Healthcare roles like CNA, EMT, pharmacy, and phlebotomy
- Construction, business, hospitality, and child care
Most participants qualify for tuition assistance, and additional supports—such as child care help—may be available .
This isn’t school for school’s sake. It’s targeted, practical, and designed to get people back to work quickly.
One Hub, Many Openings
If you want a single place to explore what’s available right now, AccessDubuqueJobs.com is the region’s top job board, featuring over 1,000 local job postings from employer partners. You can build a resume, set up text or email alerts, and connect directly with workforce professionals who help match people to opportunities—not algorithms to keywords .
You’re Not Alone in This Transition
The closing of Standard Forwarding marks the end of one chapter, but it does not define the next one. Our regional employers value the experience, reliability, and work ethic that transportation professionals bring with them. Workforce partners are ready to help you navigate applications, training options, and career decisions—at no cost.
The road ahead may look different than the one you planned, but there are strong, well-lit routes forward. And this community is actively invested in helping you find them.
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