Need Advice/ Starting Out

Me and my boyfriend are looking to get into trucking.. But, we are stuck at which route to take. We have been looking into a course at our local community college where we can use our financial aide as well as company sponsored training. We can see the benefits of both, such as with the community college option we can work where ever we choose when done but are not guaranteed to be able to find employment. In this course we do a 5 week class and obtain our license, then for the next 10 weeks we are employed and generating income with a motor carrier (separate of course.) As with the company sponsored training we receive training and a job, but are tied down but able to get experience. We really want to be able to drive together ASAP. We also realize with company training we will be separated as well for training but, afterwards will we be able to drive together? Also how long will we be separated? We have also played with the idea of doing the community college program first, then trying to find employment and save money. Then if we can't get a job on our own we can do company sponsored and have saved enough money to pay the bills while we are gone.. I also believe we make more money already having gotten our license? I'm not sure, plus this way if we can't find a job, more experience can't hurt us right? Any and all advice/ ideas are appreciated. Thanks!!!

I'm getting funding through the Workplace Investment Act. Check with your local career center/Unemployment office to see if you qualify.

I just found out today that I am probably eligible for WIA funds also, so I am looking in to that option. I don't think a company school is for me so I am going to go to a local technical school that is 5 weeks long. Not as short as a company school, but not as long as a community college. I too want to be able to have more options when I am done with school to find an employer I think I may want to be with long term.

Thanks for the information i may have to look into that option, I am just afraid if i don't do company I will have a hard time finding a job with no exp. and being young..

Thanks for the information i may have to look into that option, I am just afraid if i don't do company I will have a hard time finding a job with no exp. and being young..

There seem to be many companies that will hire you with a CDL A and no experience. They have their own training programs just as the company schools do so you would drive with an experienced driver for 6 weeks or so. Some will have a minimum age requirement (I have seen some that say 23, but not all) so that you will need to check out for yourself. Good luck in whatever path you choose!

Me and my boyfriend are looking to get into trucking.. But, we are stuck at which route to take. We have been looking into a course at our local community college where we can use our financial aide as well as company sponsored training. We can see the benefits of both, such as with the community college option we can work where ever we choose when done but are not guaranteed to be able to find employment. In this course we do a 5 week class and obtain our license, then for the next 10 weeks we are employed and generating income with a motor carrier (separate of course.) As with the company sponsored training we receive training and a job, but are tied down but able to get experience. We really want to be able to drive together ASAP. We also realize with company training we will be separated as well for training but, afterwards will we be able to drive together? Also how long will we be separated? We have also played with the idea of doing the community college program first, then trying to find employment and save money. Then if we can't get a job on our own we can do company sponsored and have saved enough money to pay the bills while we are gone.. I also believe we make more money already having gotten our license? I'm not sure, plus this way if we can't find a job, more experience can't hurt us right? Any and all advice/ ideas are appreciated. Thanks!!!

My brother got his schooling thru a truck driving school. They helped him with getting his CDL and had companies that sent recruiters to talk with the class. He sent out many pre-apps and unfortunately went with the first respondent. Had he known to wait, he actually had 7 companies that were interested in him. He had no experience previous to the class and is 61....an age where it's hard to get hired :-P He went with England, who picked up his tuition and for that he had to commit to 9 mths with them. England put him out with 2 different phase trainers and now he running in their "Recovery" division. Still, he is seriously thinking of going with another company that pays better when his time is done. There are plenty of companies out there that would love to have a team. Since you are both inexperienced you will have to go with different trainers. Each company has different requirements for that....just pull up company websites and read thru them to see what will be required. Don't stress about not getting a job driving....the companies NEED drivers...especially clean (no drugs) ones.

IDLaura

ID Mtn Gal is right.....companies LOVE teams....after you both go thru the OTR training with a trainer, they will put you together to run team. CRST has alot of teams, and prefer them...and they have a ton of husband/wife teams. There is a few ladies on here that run with their significant others, and I know theres one that trained thru CRST...hope they come on and give a shout. But its not hard to get done....