New castle school of Trades, New Castle PA

Bjh, I went to school there and can try to answer your questions. I graduated in 2011.

 

Anything I post is purely from my experience and opinion. Like anything else depending on who you ask you get a different answer. When I went there were only 3 in our class. I did the 240 hour course over 15 weekends and worked full time during the week. I had a great trainer. He hated CDL mills and taught us to "drive" trucks. Back winding roads with no shoulders. Not up and down 422. We had an FLD Freightliner with the long nose for 10 weeks, then we got lucky for the remaining and our test and got to use a Century. If you go you will see what I mean. I got lucky, based on my training and our limited class size and got a job at a place that only takes experienced drivers so yeah they helped. Sure recruiters from the big companies came in but I again got lucky to go to the small outfit I did. Their student loan package at the time was great. Whether its changed I do not know. We only drove tractors, but they do have a heavy equip. class w/CDL available.

The best advice I can give is go check them out and theck out TDDS. Options are key in life but especially in this industry. If you go just ask as many quesitons as you can. Dont rely on school to get you a job rely on your skills. Open your eyes and ears. Ask a million questions whichever school you go to. Smoke breaks are time to ask your trainer how your doing . Use every second to your advantage. Trust me once you get out there you will need it.

Are you looking to go over the road, regional, local. Do you want to drive tractor trailer or just triaxle?

 

Good luck.... If you have any questions please ask.... When I went to new castle they offered an interest free loan through the school just fyi