Expansion of High School Driver Training Program
The Next Generation in Trucking Association is leveraging a new grant to take its driver training initiative for high school students beyond California.
Grant Acquisition
Lindsey Trent, co-founder and President, announced that the organization recently received a $127,000 grant from Knorr-Bremse Global Care North America, linked to the German company Knorr-Bremse, which owns Bendix, a brake manufacturer based in the U.S.
Standardized Curriculum Development
“This funding will help us create a standardized curriculum for training future truck drivers,” stated Next Generation. The organization aims to elevate training standards to better prepare new drivers for industry challenges.
Collaboration with Knorr-Bremse
Trent learned about Knorr-Bremse’s support for educational initiatives in Ohio and decided to reach out, noting their genuine interest in education. Upon contacting them, the foundation encouraged Next Generation to apply for the grant, aligning with their mission to enhance educational quality.
Curriculum Formalization
The foundational elements of the curriculum were established by Dave Dein, co-founder and truck driving program coordinator at Patterson High School’s Supply Chain and Logistics Training Center in California. His six-year-old program, which does not involve actual driving, will be formalized into a curriculum suitable for vocational programs nationwide with the help of the Education Development Center (EDC).
Program Implementation and Content
The program is expected to begin with classroom instruction every day during the school year. Students will learn various essential skills, from proper body movements to healthy eating habits while on the road. The focus extends beyond driving skills to include soft skills such as customer interaction.
Path to Professional Driving
Upon graduation, students will be equipped to obtain a commercial learner’s permit, having passed necessary knowledge tests. This process may lead students to various educational programs for obtaining a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). While it involves a lengthy training process, Next Generation seeks specially suited candidates for this career path.
