Bus Driver Boot Camp Aims to Help Tourism Transportation in Guam

Guam Public and Private Sectors Team Up for Workforce Development

The Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB) along with partners from the Guam Community College (GCC), Guam Department of Labor (GDOL), and the Japan Guam Travel Association (JGTA) have planned a Bus Driver Boot Camp to commence on October 14, 2024.  The 12-week program aims to train individuals and prepare them for B and D category licensing, qualifying them to drive buses for tour companies, such as Sanko Enterprises, Kloppenburg Enterprises, Inc., and Lam Lam Tours and Transportation.  

Under the leadership of Governor Lourdes Leon Guerrero, GVB President & CEO Carl T.C. Gutierrez, GVB Chairman George Chiu and the GVB Board of Directors, the initiative was made to address concerns regarding ground transportation within the tourism industry in Guam.  The JGTA Bus & Transportation Services committee has said that despite the availability of buses, the shortage of drivers continues to significantly affect operations across their companies.  In a letter to Governor Lou Leon Guerrero, JGTA expressed concern and requested assistance.  GVB collaborated with GCC and GDOL to launch a boot camp to address the lack of bus drivers in the tourism industry. 

This Bus Driver Boot Camp will offer participants free training, paid licensing fees, a stipend, and guaranteed job placement for those who successfully pass the course.

“GVB is glad to help our industry partners with this transportation issue.  We’ve called upon our fellow agencies GCC and DOL to collaborate with us on this boot camp so that our partners at JGTA and its members can focus on ways to sustain their drivers and keep operations running smoothly for our visitors,” said GVB President & CEO Carl T.C. Gutierrez.  

According to a survey of visitors to Guam, limited ground transportation was listed as one of the top drawbacks and, for some, a reason they may not likely return to visit Guam (Japan Market In-Sight Report, May 2022).  The lack of drivers directly affects tours, transfers, and shuttle bus scheduling and becomes an inconvenience for visitors with overcrowded buses and longer wait times, which, according to Gutierrez, “does not leave a favorable impression of our island and our hospitality.”    

“GDOL is continually developing new initiatives to address issues in key industries in our island that need workforce development. We have successfully partnered with the Department of Public Works and GCC on similar Bus Driver Boot Camps, and we are just as committed to supporting our tourism partners and ensuring that Guam remains a top destination by providing an avenue to fast-track training and certification,” said GDOL Director David Dell’Isola. 

“As the leader in workforce development in the region, GCC’s mission is to ensure that the participants in these programs are prepared with the specific skills and knowledge for the job,” said GCC President, Dr. Mary Okada. “We are ready to support our tourism industry by providing the boot camp participants with training in bus driving, safety and work ethic.” 

Those interested in attending the Bus Driver Boot Camp must meet the following qualifications and are encouraged to apply at the American Job Center on the 3rd floor of the GCIC building in Hagatna:

Must be 18 years of age or older

Must have High School Diploma or GED

Must have a valid Drivers License

Must pass a drug test and physical exam

Must have a clean traffic record

For more information, please contact the American Job Center at (671) 475-7000/1 or [email protected].

Media Contact:  Lisa Bordallo, Public Information Officer, GUAM VISITORS BUREAU, SETBISION BISITAN GUÅHAN, Tumon, Guam, (671) 979-1523, [email protected]