Stevens St. Louis, Mo???

Stevens doesn't have an acadamy in St Louis, but since Texas changed their residency requirements, it has pushed Stevens into finding alternatives to filling it's ranks.
So they have been partnering with schools thruout the country. I don't know of any in your area, but if you call the recruiting office, they may be able to point you in the right direction.

 

They are now using MTC in St. Louis...if my app is approved I'll be attending on the 12th I believe.

 

thats where i went before stevens too

 

And what's your take on it? Stevens wants to send me to St Lo for CDL school. OK or bad move?

 

I'm not sure what your concerns are so Its hard for me to answer that. If they would have gone through with sending me there I would have still been going to Stevens, but when they said I had to come to Texas to train I kept on looking because I couldn't leave St. Louis until the 26th anyway. Going to MTC would have given me a heard start on training. As it is I'll be going to a company that trains and will cover the entire cost with no pay back as long as I stay a year. Their training pay is better too and I only have to drive with a trainer for 5 weeks instead of 8. The sooner I can get into better money, the better for me.

 

Stevens is a training company. They make a lot of money from training new drivers. As such, they need a constant supply of candidates.
As with other training companies, they have their own CDL school. It's in Dallas. As with most CDL schools, you will receive adequate training to get your CDL. The advantage of being at the school in Dallas is you are immersed in the driver culture and get a chance to mix with current drivers and trainers in a limited fashion.
The disadvantage is the cost. Stevens school is not a discount program. It's full retail. In addition, you have costs associated with living there while going to school, none of which is paid by Stevens. They will front money and get you discount motel room costs, but it still comes out of your pocket.
Recently, Texas changed their residency rules making it very difficult to bring a student from out of state into Texas for training. As a result, and the continued need for an ongoing supply of students, Stevens is partnering with selected schools in areas of best hiring. St Louis is one such place.
I have always said you are better off to go to a local school for your CDL. It's cheaper. You can live at home and are not away so long (a major consideration for many drivers). Private schools will generally offer additional endorsements for the same price. (i.e. tanker, doubles/triples, hazmat). Stevens only cares for enough for you to drive their trucks. The other endorsements are not required.
I don't know the school there, but if Stevens has picked them as a partner, they must think pretty highly of them. I would assume you have the same requirements for payback and employement as students that attend Stevens Dallas. Be sure you understand all the requirements before you sign on the dotted line. Check your state for government assisted programs. My younger brother got his CDL about a year ago from a private school in Springfield and it was paid in full by the State of Missouri. There is (or was) a lot of money being handed out to the states under the Displaced Workers Act that makes this possible. Check with your state unemployment office, veterans office (if you qualify) and any other state agency you can think of. It could save you a lot of money and commitment.
If you meet Stevens qualifications for the school, they will hire you just as fast if you turn up with your own CDL.
Good luck in your choices.

 

ok as a graduate of mtc and an ex stevens driver i will give you the basics. the hotel the school uses is nasty. the trucks i trained on back in january were ex werner trucks that were pretty bad. some of the trainers knew how to train and teach some did not have any idea how to do either. i had previous experience before going there so i was better off then a fresh newbie. they just get you enough training to pass the cdl test

 

your real life training gets done at stevens with a trainer. good training company just not a company for me long term. id honestly look into one of the colleges that offer the same training for much cheaper. then go to your company of choice with cdl in hand still have to do training but at a lower cost out of pocket.