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New CDL Training Programs
Two community colleges in California and Louisiana are initiating commercial driver license (CDL) training to guide students into professional truck driving careers.
Barstow Community College’s Initiative
Located in the Mojave Desert, Barstow Community College has recently partnered with Chicago’s 160 Driving Academy to provide CDL training. Barstow is situated at a significant freight corridor intersection, with Interstates 15 and 40 and California Routes 58 and 247 converging. Annually, approximately 19 million vehicles transit through Barstow, which lies between Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
Support for Workforce Development
Eva Bagg, the superintendent-president of BCC, stated, “We understand the vital role of career education in preparing our students for the current job market. By collaborating with industry leaders like 160 Driving Academy, we’re offering specialized training that leads to sought-after jobs.” This initiative aims to address local truck driving shortages and provide community members with valuable skills.
Training Structure
The partnership details that the community college will offer classroom space, while 160 Driving Academy, which has over 150 locations across 44 states, will manage the CDL training program. BCC is the first community college in California to create such a collaboration.
Instructor Support at the Academy
Victoria Ramos, a business development specialist at the Barstow driving academy, mentioned that “Our committed instructors guide students in both theoretical and practical settings to equip them with the essential knowledge and skills for a growing industry.”
Bossier Parish Community College’s Launch
In northwestern Louisiana, Bossier Parish Community College has also started a CDL training program at its Natchitoches campus. Joseph Brownlee, dean of the college’s STEM division, highlighted that the new program significantly expands workforce training in the region, offering students the credentials necessary for lucrative careers in the transportation sector.
Students will be able to prepare for both CDL Class A and B licenses. BPCC commenced its first class in mid-April, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The college had received a $400,000 grant from the state’s Workforce Training Rapid Response Fund last year to assist students in securing high-demand logistics and CDL positions.
