Questions from someone looking to go Class A

Hello, a little background first. I’ve been driving class B around the state of Nebraska for two years. The company I work for now, Smithfield Direct, is closing up shop in April 2021. They have told us and have a retention bonus possible if we stay until we get a 60 day notice.

I’m currently looking to go to Class A. There are two options close to me that offer Class A truck driving training programs.
Hastings CCC-cost is $3255 for 6 weeks/250 hours of combined course and driving time. 50 of those hours is hands on drive time that includes the school driving course, city streets, highways and interstates. The rest is class room and observation I believe. They say I will get a minimum of 500 miles behind the wheel and 1300 observation.
Southeast Community College- est. cost is $1046 for 8 weeks/240 hours with approx 2000-2500 Behind the wheel. I’m sure part of that is observation.

Based on what I’ve read on these forums, going this route could be better rather than obtaining training from a company and being locked in with them for atleast a year. I would rather try to stick around Nebraska/Midwest so I figure getting my CDL A on my own would be a better way to do that.

I figure going with one of these two schools and being close to them, I can work part time as well during this time. The state of Nebraska also offers grants for workers that are laid off to further education to further your career options. I will apply for those to assist with paying for the schooling. However, I can also use some of that retention bonus to pay for it as well.
One of my questions is when it comes time to apply for jobs, the company’s that require experience say like 1-2 years, is that Class A driving experience or would Class B be included in that?

Are there any pointers that you all can give me in this journey?
Thank you all in advance!

 

I’m right by Grand Island.

 

That’s what I thought as well. Of course, that’s the school that costs more and of course that particular school gets about $160 out of my property taxes every year as well

 

Awesome! Thank you for the info!