Can someone give me advice on company sponsored training that is GOOD?

I did well at Roehl, Marshfield Wisc., plenty of written material about RDTC (their school) on here. Frankly I probably would have done well at any of the schools. If you get your CDL you have succeeded. Now that I'm out running solo miles It seems that my driving, shifting, setups etc. improve daily. I think I have learned a lot of the details solo, but the big issues I learned at RDTC. its a good, safe, clean place to train. great people, atmosphere, equipment. Plenty of others too, just pick the right one for you.

 

IF you can afford it (or get a student loan to cover the cost), go to an independent school rather than company sponsored. Visit some carrier websites that hire drivers with no experience and find out what schools in your area they recommend, if any, then talk to those schools directly. Some carriers will reimburse you for the cost of your schooling up to a certain $ amount. There is a forum on TTR for Driving Schools; definitely worth a read.

If you can't pay for schooling out of pocket (or with student loan or grant), you may have to attend a company-sponsored training program. Usually these company programs will contractually obligate you to remain with the company for "a period of time," (often a year) to pay for the schooling; if you quit or get terminated, you will probably have to reimburse them for some of the schooling costs.

Remember that carrier (and school) recruiters are often paid on commission: you sign on the line, they get paid. Some will tell you "what you want to know to sign," then once you're there, everything changes.

Last comment from this wannabee: If you have a sketchy employment history, DUI's on your MVR, recent felony convictions or can't pass a drug test, go find something else to do.

 

A recent DUI or can't pass a drug test; just find another career, you aren't hirable in trucking. The recent felony or sketchy employment; there are companies that will hire.


As for company sponsored training, Prime Inc. (refrigerated,tanker,flatbed) or Central Refrigerated are two good ones. Prime pays $600.00 a week while you're with a trainer. JBS Carriers might sponsor a private school for you.

 

I don't know if you're in their hiring area, but Millis isn't a bad place to start. They have 3 different schools in Georgia, Ohio, and Wisconsin I believe? I have a friend who started with them and really never had anything bad to say about them. Good luck in your endeavors.

 

There are no DOT standards or requirements for the training of CDL drivers only testing. You can walk into the DMV in your hometown and pick up the study manual, study the manual, pay the fees, and take the test. You will however need a truck to do the road test in and that's it.

Most companies that hire student drivers have a standard which is normally 150 hours from an accredited school. Every company is different so call around to a few companies you are interested in and see how many hours they require.

Why the short course vs. the long course:

Some students already have their class B and have been driving for sometime.
Some students are laid off or unemployed and need to receive min. required hours to find a job and return to the work force.
Some students have jobs and take the longer course to work it into their schedule
Some students want the full training and practice to have more jobs available to them and feel comfortable with the skills

Company sponsored training vs. non-company sponsored training

Their are far to many reasons to explain here why company sponsored/paid training is a very bad idea, if you really want to know there are a lot threads on this web site alone explaining the down falls and horror stories driver have been thru fulfilling those contracts.

So I will explain some of the benefits of attending a non-company sponsored schooling path.

1. Most accredited schools have FASFA and other financing options. Some state labor agencies even have free money.
2. Most schools offer lifetime job placement and normally know who is hiring locally before it is even advertised.
3. Most schools will have you pre-hired before you even finish schooling
4. If you attend a non-company sponsored training you receive all of the tax credits and deductions and NOT the company. Like tuition, books, maps, clothes, pens & pencils, notebooks, cost of a laptop/computer, cost of a printer, ink, paper, cost of the medical exam, permitting fees, meals, travel expenses, etc..
5. Normally you will start with a higher CPM rate than drivers coming out of their own school.
6. Most companies have tuition reimbursement up to $10,000 which is paid directly to you weekly or monthly with no contract.
7. You can leave the company anytime you want because you owe them ZERO!
8. When you are in school you may find you like hauling something different than what you thought or you may receive better job offers. You are not locked into one company for the next 12-15 months so you can do whatever you want.

 

Company sponsored training is actually a wise choice if you are a good student, intend to drive your OTR miles without whining, and have researched the company well.

Its typically less expensive and you are guaranteed a job with that company upon successful completion of school and training.

The cost of training can be paid for however one chooses. If you choose to pay for it upfront, you will typically be fully reimbursed for the cost of the school over the course of your first year of employment. If you choose to finance it through the company it is a loan to the company and what would normally be reimbursement for prepaid tuition would be payment for that loan to the company.

I think the horror stories of people failing at a company school has more to do with the individuals not wanting to drive OTR or not wanting to work. OTR is what it is, you don't pick your loads, you don't always decide when you drive, and you have deadlines to meet. Sometimes its pretty easy and sometimes its a PITA. I don't think i get treated any different than any other driver at my company...i get good stuff and not so good stuff..point is just do it. Going to a private CDL school will not change that.

 

Sealandair

I wonder what the heck Bates teaches over a 6 month period. After 3 weeks I was just anxious and ready to get my license.

 

Washington State, DTS is recognized by many trucking companies, including System Transport. Also check trans-system website. Here's the school : Drivers Training School

You will do better financially with a carrier other than one of the mega-carriers.