I'm trying to secure a grant to go to trucking school. I have questions.

same question again?

 

You are correct . . . not many people spend time in the Welcome Wagon . . . This section should get more answers for you.

 

Your local state employment agency will fund it. as long as you take work in the industry its free.

 

Training does not pay nearly that much and most work about 70 hours a week. Thats dictates by hours of service.

 

What do people in this profession do? (Describe a normal work day, typical duties, responsibilities, pressure, risk, or supervision requirements.)
1. Once you get the training out of the way a typical day is arrive at terminal (at least an hour before dispatch time) get your paperwork make sure it's all in order. Pre-trip the vehicle , and head out , as long as everything is on par and in road-ready condition.
2.A drivers main responsibilty is to make sure he has enough rest and is ready to go , then he is to act in a professional manner and always keep the safety of his vehicle and the load foremost in his actions.
3. Pressure..all I can say about that is the only real pressure a driver has is that he imposes on himself.
4. Risk...there is risk in every occupation...only thing is in driving a commercial vehicle you come into contact with hundreds , if not thousands of folks every day that have not a clue of just how dangerous a job driving something that is 60 to 70 feet long , bends in the middle , and weighs 40 tons.
5. supervision..once you're on your own are just that....on your own.

What skills, education, and/or training are required to enter this occupation?
Obviously trucking school. A class A CDL. I know this.

You need to be able to work well with lots of different kinds of folks , and be able to stay calm when sometimes folks seem to expect you to do the impossible...Education...the three r's will suffice...but there are more folks than you'd think are very educated that are driving trucks for all sorts of reasons. Being able to think for yourself and have a little mechanical knowledge is also a big plus.

What are the minimum qualifications to enter this occupation?

21 years old to travel anywhere...of course the required license/training...a medical card...and to my way of thinking, the most important thing of all.....a good attitude!

What is the range of starting wages in this occupation? Either per hour, per week, per month, or per year
I hear it's 600-800 a week starting.

you are close with that assumption...but there are some variables...miles, stops, lanes that you are in.... load availability...


What are the typical work hours and schedule (hours per week)

again lots of variables......different types of driving have different schedules...LTL.... say is different from food-service....food-service is different from OTR....but the law says 70 hrs in 8 days


What is the potential for career growth in this occupation?

depends on what you mean by growth...do you want to always be a driver , or would you like to move into dispatch , or be a logistics guy , or just move up in seniority , til you can pick the better runs/routes/lanes to run in. Everybody is different....

I'm not an expert by no means on the trucking industry..but I've been around it since I was in my teens...I'm getting ready to turn 64 soon...hope I helped you out some.....

 

Minimum requirements to enter the field beside a CDL? A pulse, that's about it.

 

just like you i am newbie. IF you live around ohio you can go to tdds out of youngstown they do grants - loans -and housing. I am paying nothing up front but paying like $55 a month after 6 mounth out school.