Imagine earning as much as $900 a week after completing four weeks of training to be a truck driver.
Laredoans Alejandro Mendoza and Pedro Bermudez realized that dream after graduating from the Professional Truck Driver Training program at Laredo Community College South.
The dedication and effort Mendoza, Bermudez and all other graduates have made to complete this occupational training program is a wise career investment, LCC Workforce Development Coordinator Charlie Cantu said.
“Starting salaries for licensed professional truck drivers range from $32,000 to $39,000,” Cantu said. “Living in a community with a booming trucking industry, this is an occupation that is in great demand.”
Cantu said that interest to enroll in the truck driver training program continues to grow.
Since its December launch, 20 students have graduated from the training program.
New students are currently being accepted for a class starting on May 1.
The goal of the 160-hour course is to provide the knowledge and skills needed to pass the Texas Commercial Driver’s License exam to qualify for immediate employment in the trucking industry.
“Laredo Community College is offering a unique educational opportunity for adults to become independent providers for the benefit of themselves and their families,” LCC South Provost Francisco Martinez Jr. said.
While the cost of the training program is $3,750, assistance is available for eligible persons from various sponsoring sources, including Motivation, Education and Training (M.E.T.), Texas Workforce Commission, Texas Rehabilitation Center and the Workforce Investment Act.
“LCC is pleased to be working with partners such as M.E.T. Together, we’re helping program participants find the pathway to a better life,” Martinez said.
The career training program consists of classroom lecture, parking and driving skills training in a driving range, and day and night street driving.
Participants also utilize a state-of-the-art simulator, which replicates the experience of driving in a truck cab under various weather conditions.
“Classes are small so that instructors can provide more individualized instruction. Our goal is to provide training necessary to produce highly qualified professional truck drivers,” Cantu said.
Job placement also is a key component offered by the college. Nationally accredited transportation companies recruit on campus.
Mendoza and Bermudez were hired through the program’s job placement services.
The training program at LCC South is offered under contract with Star Career Training Inc.
To join the program, the prospective student must be at least 18 years old and have an acceptable driving record.
The individuals also must pass the Department of Transportation physical and drug screening and must meet federal motor carrier safety regulations, sec.391.
LCC offers a tuition plan for students who want to make weekly payments to pay off their course fees by the completion of the program.
Persons who are interested in learning more about the Professional Truck Driver program offered by LCC should contact Cantu at 794-4521 or Felix Rodriguez at 794-4420.
Alejandro Mendoza and Pedro Bermudez are on the road to brighter futures after graduating from the Professional Truck Driver Training program at Laredo Community College South. Program officials congratulate the fourth graduating class. From left, they are Mendoza, Eddie Bermea from Star Career Training, MET-sponsored graduate Christopher Scroggins, instructor Danny Salinas, Bermudez, program recruiter Felix Rodriguez and program coordinator Charlie Cantu.
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