A road leading to brighter futures awaits individuals who complete a Professional Truck Driver Training program at Laredo Community College South.
In December, Laredoans Victor Dominguez and Jose Gutierrez were the first to graduate from a new, four-week training program launched this past October by the LCC Continuing Education Department. Since then, six more persons have graduated from the program.
The dedication and effort Dominguez, Gutierrez and all subsequent 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. The second class, which graduated in December, included three male students and the program’s first female student. Graduation for the most recent class, consisting of two male students, was held recently this month.
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.
Graduates from the first three classes and the current fourth class of students have been sponsored by M.E.T. to fulfill their career training at LCC.
“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.
Cantu said that 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.
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.
Fourth class began Jan. 9. The next class begins on Jan. 23, followed by another class on Feb. 6.
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.
The first graduates of Laredo Community College’s new Professional Truck Driver program are flanked by college leaders and other officials who helped make the career training program a reality. They are, from left, LCC South Provost Francisco Martinez Jr., Sandra Patiño from M.E.T., Eddie Bermea and Jesse Bermea from Star Career Training Inc., graduates Jose Gutierrez and Victor Dominguez, LCC Vice-President for Instruction and Student Development Dr. Juan Maldonado, Raul Rodriguez from Star Career, instructor Danny Salinas and LCC Workforce Development Coordinator Charlie Cantu.
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