20
THE DAVEY BULLETIN
|
July/August 2025
TRAINING PROGRAM STEERS EMPLOYEES TO SAFER DRIVING
In less than a year since its launch, 70 employees with
non-commercial driver's licenses have advanced their ability
to confidently and proficiently operate their work vehicle and
return home safely through Davey's Driver Enhancement
Training (DET) program.
DET focuses on enhancing knowledge of vehicle operations,
inspection and maintenance when driving smaller trucks and
pulling trailers in a single-day, one-on-one training session.
Trainees, led by Davey Health and Safety Motor Carrier
Safety specialists, review topics such as backing, load
securement, recognizing driver fatigue and incident
reporting. They also hit the road to reinforce training on
railroad crossings, turning and roundabouts, among other
driving aspects.
"Everybody is worthy of training no matter what vehicle
you're operating," Nichole Cefaratti, supervisor, Motor
Carrier Administration, said. "DET provides employees with
pride, understanding and knowledge – giving them support
to aid them in being successful at what they do. It allows
us to connect with a broader range of employees and let
them know we're here for them. We're a family."
DET, which opened its enrollment at the start of 2025,
travels across the country to offices that request it, and
crews can ask for review material based on team needs.
The program provides individual training for those holding
a non-commercial driver's license, with four trainers and
three employees attending each session.
Davey conducted DET with employees from Davey
Resource Group in 2024 and 2025. The program also
traveled to California, Colorado and Florida with Commercial,
Residential, Surgery and Utility operations in 2025.
Next, DET is visiting Commercial Landscape Services and
Utility operations in Virginia in July 2025 and Residential
operations in Kent in August 2025.
"The training helped me understand more about the parts
that I would need to examine during a true walk around and
the condition my vehicle needs to be in in order to operate
it safely," Kyle Allen, foreman, Gulf region, Eastern Utility,
said. "This program makes Davey stand out because of
the effort they put in to ensuring our employees are trained
the proper way to use our work trucks safely and effectively.
To me, knowledge is power, and taking this course has
provided me with a better understanding of the vehicle I
use and how to use it effectively in day-to-day operations."
Employees with non-commercial driver's licenses can take Driver
Enhancement Training (DET) at workshops across the country, like
the training pictured above at the Kent Shop or Livermore office.
Interested in scheduling a DET session or
learning more about the program? Contact
Nichole Cefaratti at nichole.cefaratti@davey.com.
SAFETY
