Truckers on American highways will hear a new accent on their two-way radios when India exports its first batch of lorry drivers to the US to meet a severe manpower shortage.
For the past four months more than 200 “transportation specialists” have been put through their paces at a training school in the state of Andhra Pradesh where US conditions have been replicated — from the size of the trailers to Yankee truckers’ slang.
The first 25 truckers have been earmarked for a company in Pennsylvania and are waiting for their two-year visas to be processed, according to the Overseas Manpower Consultancy of Andhra Pradesh (OMCAP), the government-owned company that was set up to fill overseas job vacancies and reduce the exploitation of Indian workers.
The course, costing 25,000 rupees (£290) per head, includes manoeuvring 18-wheel rather than 16-wheel trailers, understanding US traffic rules and different social customs.
“They learn left-hand driving as well as etiquette and culture,” R. Karikal Valaven, the managing director of OMCAP, said. “They also need to interact with Mr Gagan so that they can understand the American accent.” Trainees must already possess a heavy vehicle driving licence and at least five years’ experience. They also have to pass an HIV test. India’s 3.3 million truckers are among the highest risk groups because many pick up prostitutes and refuse to wear condoms.
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