FleetGap at Smart Cities

The FleetGap Program

In Partnership with DoD SkillBridge®, NAFA®, and UPtime™ by SHzoom®

Designed to transition military-trained #fleet professionals into impactful civilian fleet roles. One Fleet. One Mission.

The FleetGap Initiative

In Partnership with UPtime™ by SHzoom®, NAFA, and the U.S. Department of Defense SkillBridge Program.

Exclusively for NAFA Fleet Leaders

The FleetGap Initiative connects NAFA member fleet leaders with mission ready military service members, veterans, and military spouses who are eager to transition into careers in fleet management. Through the Department of Defense SkillBridge Program, your fleet can host active duty service members for hands-on training while they continue to receive their military pay and benefits. This is your opportunity to bring proven leaders, disciplined problem solvers, and operationally minded professionals into your organization.

Image of a hiring poster for a "Senior Technical Lead" with UPtime by SHzoom, set against a dark blue background. White text reads "WE'RE HIRING" followed by the job title and "Full Stack and AI Engineer". A large orange button below says "LEARN MORE".
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Why It Matters

UPtime™ by SHzoom® is transforming fleet management by giving leaders real time control, clarity, and confidence. The FleetGap Initiative extends that mission to workforce readiness, ensuring that the next generation of fleet professionals comes equipped with military precision and purpose. Together with NAFA and DoD SkillBridge, we are closing the gap between military expertise and fleet industry need.

Take Action

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SkillBridge Application Window: February 1–April 1, 2026
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Deadline to Submit Materials: March 9, 2026

NAFA member fleet leaders — this is your chance to lead the industry forward. Join the FleetGap Initiative and help shape the future of fleet leadership.

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Eligibility & Investment

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Participating organizations must be an active NAFA member in good standing for a minimum of three years.
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Organizations must demonstrate a commitment to hiring, training, and mentoring military service members, veterans, or spouses transitioning into fleet leadership roles.
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An annual administrative fee of $200 (non-refundable) is recommended to support program administration and outreach.

FleetGap Military Hiring Program Guidelines

The FleetGap Partner Company:

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Is responsible for providing all required data to the FleetGap Program (powered by NAFA® and UPtime™ by SHzoom®) to apply for and renew its DoD SkillBridge partnership.
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Will be subject to all DoD SkillBridge requirements and standards, thereby ensuring full compliance with all applicable federal guidelines.
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Agrees to abide by predetermined training requirements for the designated apprenticeship role, aligned with DoD SkillBridge and industry standards.
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May assume direct management of its SkillBridge partnership if desired, providing the company with full autonomy over program execution.
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May assume direct management of its SkillBridge partnership if desired, providing the company with full autonomy over program execution.
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May discontinue participation in the FleetGap Program at any time, without penalty or further obligation.
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FleetGap Partnership Application Requirements

What’s Next?

The following items must be completed in order to apply for FleetGap GAP partnership consideration:

1.

Payment of the Annual Administrative Fee: $250 (recommended to support the program, but not required)

2.

Grant Permission to UPtime by SHzoom and NAFA to act as your FleetGap Program representative within the DoD SkillBridge ecosystem.

3.

Complete the FleetGap Employer Ethics Brief. This step along with review of the DoD SkillBridge MOU must be completed.

Required documents to upload to the Company Information Form:

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FleetGap Employer Ethics Brief certificate of completion
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Secretary of State company verification (available via your state’s official government portal)

FleetGap Military Hiring Program Guidelines

The FleetGap GAP Program, powered by SHzoom’s UPtime platform, bridges the gap between fleet managers, government workforce development, and transitioning service members through the DoD SkillBridge initiative. Partnering with NAFA ensures industry-leading advocacy and compliance, while UPtime™ by SHzoom® provides real-time insights into fleet operations, accelerating the onboarding of military talent into civilian fleet and mobility careers. By aligning with the FleetGap Program, your organization not only gains access to a vetted pipeline of skilled transitioning fleet professionals but also demonstrates a commitment to ethical hiring practices, data-driven fleet management, and workforce resiliency.

Image of a hiring announcement for a Senior Technical Lead role at UPtime by SHzoom.

FleetGap Recruitment Process

FleetGap is designed to transition military-trained #fleet professionals into impactful civilian fleet industry roles.
By blending mentorship, live networking, structured training, and on-the-job experience, FleetGap ensures both
candidates and employers are set up for long-term success.

Step 1

Acquaintance through FleetGap LIVE & Mentoring

Service members are introduced to the civilian fleet community through FleetGap LinkedIn LIVE sessions and mentoring matches. This step builds early awareness, confidence, and career direction.

How Leaders & Mentors Support

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Share stories and expertise through FleetGap LIVE
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Serve as a mentor match, guiding candidates one-on-one
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Offer virtual job shadow experiences that reveal day-to-day realities of fleet leadership.
Step 2

Matchmaking at NAFA I&E

During NAFA’s Institute & Expo, candidates meet hiring managers, mentors, and peers face-to-face. This matchmaking stage connects talent with opportunity in a live, high-value environment.

Employer Participation

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Partners in the public and private fleet sectors share their company information and location.
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FleetGap distributes this information through UPtime’s fleet intelligence platform and email
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Candidates review partner opportunities and select their preferred sector, company, and location.

How Leaders & Mentors Support

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Provide job-ready skills lists that clarify what your fleet values most
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Make warm introductions to HR and decision-makers.
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Guide candidates on cultural and technical expectations.
Step 3

Training and On-the-Job Experience

Phase A: NAFA Online Training (30 Days)

Service members are introduced to the civilian fleet community through FleetGap LinkedIn LIVE sessions and mentoring matches. This step builds early awareness, confidence, and career direction.

Phase B: On-the-Job Training (3 Months)

Candidates gain immersive fleet management experience within chosen partner organizations. Mentors and managers provide coaching, exposure to projects, and opportunities to build leadership capacity.

How Leaders & Mentors Support

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Provide structured coaching and regular feedback.
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Align candidate learning with NAFA standards and UPtime analytics.
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Create real-world leadership opportunities that demonstrate readiness.
Step 4

Launch into Full-Time Roles

Graduates transition into civilian fleet leadership positions. Employers gain highly disciplined, mission-ready professionals who deliver operational clarity and leadership from day one.

How Leaders & Mentors Support

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Deliver final performance evaluations
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Extend full-time offers to successful apprentices.
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Continue mentoring to strengthen long-term success.

Why Mentorship Matters

Fleet leaders are not just filling positions—they are shaping the future of fleets. Through mentorship, early introductions, and structured guidance, they ensure transitioning service members bring purpose, confidence, and skill into the civilian workforce.

1. Service Member Connects with FleetGap

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FleetGap team shares available apprenticeship partners through the LinkedIn LIVE Future of Fleet Friday broadcast, the NAFA Job Website, and the UPtime by SHzoom® Fleet Crash Management Platform.
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Service Member shares resume and indicates preferred company, sector (public/private fleet), and location.

2. FleetGap Validates Company Readiness

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Confirms the company can provide structured fleet management training during the service member’s transition window.
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Ensures alignment with NAFA standards and verifies likelihood of a long-term fleet management role post-apprenticeship.

3. FleetGap Bridges Employer and Service Member

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Employer point of contact schedules a discovery interview with FleetGap Representative.
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Company evaluates cultural and technical fit.
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Apprenticeship start and end dates are jointly determined.

4. Offer and Compliance Stage

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Service Member finalizes SkillBridge approval with their education office and commanding officer.
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FleetGap collects all compliance documentation, including company onboarding and screening requirements.
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FleetGap ensures documentation aligns with DoD SkillBridge regulations.

2. FleetGap Validates Company Readiness

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Service Member begins apprenticeship with employer.
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FleetGap monitors progress via UPtime dashboards, ensuring transparent reporting and support for both the employer and service member.

6. Apprenticeship Completion & Transition

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Employer delivers final evaluation, guided by NAFA-aligned performance metrics.
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If apprenticeship objectives are achieved, companies extend offers of full-time employment, bridging the service-to-civilian career gap.

Keys for Success

Name a Fleet Champion.

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Success depends on having a dedicated advocate from your company to serve as the FleetGap Liaison.
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This FleetGap champion could be a veteran on your team, a fleet manager, or even a senior executive.
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They don’t need hiring responsibilities, but they must ensure SkillBridge participants are supported and aligned with program goals.

Quick responses are our superpower.

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If your company is offered the chance to interview or consider a SkillBridge service member for a FleetGap apprenticeship—act quickly!
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Many service members choose FleetGap host companies because of the fast, respectful engagement they receive—from initial inquiry to interview scheduling.
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Just like UPtime by SHzoom reduces downtime for fleets, FleetGap’s value is maximized when companies respond with speed and decisiveness.

Involve Military Veterans.

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If you have military veterans or military spouses on your team, include them in the interview and onboarding process for FleetGap participants.
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These individuals are your best ambassadors. They bring credibility, help bridge the culture gap, and ensure SkillBridge participants feel supported as they transition into fleet careers.
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Their involvement also reinforces alignment with NAFA’s industry standards and the professional pathways available in fleet management.

Have a plan.

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Document and share a clear training plan with the incoming apprentice. Service members value transparency and want to know exactly what they will learn.
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Incorporate hands-on exposure to UPtime by SHzoom tools and workflows to showcase best practices in real fleet operations.
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Your plan should also include a tangible outcome—such as preparing the service member to pursue a NAFA certification or qualify for a role in your fleet organization.

What is FleetGap?

FleetGap is designed to transition military-trained #fleet professionals into impactful civilian roles. By blending
mentorship, live networking, structured training, and on-the-job experience, FleetGap ensures both candidates
and employers are set up for long-term success.

No. During SkillBridge, participants remain on active duty and continue to receive pay, healthcare, and benefits through the DoD. The FleetGap employer partner is not responsible for health care or military benefits. However, if the training environment poses special risks, employers may carry their own liability coverage as standard workplace practice.

No. SkillBridge is not a fee-based program. Participants cannot be charged for training, placement, or program access. FleetGap participation is free for service members.

Yes. The participant’s military command remains their employer of record until separation or retirement. The command is responsible for pay, benefits, and military oversight. The FleetGap partner provides structured training and supervision, but the service member is still under DoD authority.

Yes. The participant’s military command remains their employer of record until separation or retirement. The command is responsible for pay, benefits, and military oversight. The FleetGap partner provides structured training and supervision, but the service member is still under DoD authority.

No, not unilaterally. Any opportunity more than 50 miles from the participant’s duty station or residence requires formal command approval. This safeguard ensures service members are not placed in undue hardship situations. FleetGap helps navigate this, but the decision rests with the participant’s chain of command.

The FleetGap partner develops the training plan and job description in coordination with FleetGap and the
service member’s command. The plan must:
● Provide structured, skills-based training aligned to civilian fleet roles.
● Identify tasks, objectives, and supervision standards.
● Be approved by the command education office to meet SkillBridge requirements.
FleetGap ensures alignment with NAFA standards and validates that the plan creates a legitimate pathway to
civilian fleet careers.

Yes, but with conditions. Service members may pursue opportunities outside their immediate location if:
● Their command approves the distance (especially beyond the 50-mile threshold).
● The training partner can provide structured oversight remotely or in a new location.
● Travel, lodging, or relocation is arranged without creating cost obligations for the service member

Bottom line: FleetGap partners train and mentor, but the DoD remains the responsible employer until separation. Participation is free for service members, governed by compliance rules, and always subject to command approval.