Month: September 2018

Richmond Mayor Visits CDS Tractor Trailer Training

Posted on by Paradigm Media

CDS Tractor Trailer Training’s Richmond Training Location had a wonderful visit from Richmond Mayor, Levar Stoney. As apart of Mayor Stoney’s “One Richmond” mantra, he has been visiting local Richmond companies to learn how residents can find long-term careers. CDS was on the top of Mayor Stoney’s list as we provide CDL training lasting only 20-days.

Mayor Stoney Meets Jai Rae Bowler

Mayor Stoney met with current student, Jai Rae Bowler to learn about his time at CDS and what he has enjoyed most about his training. Jai Rae Bowler is Church-Hill resident and got started at CDS after a friend of his recommended our training. Jai Rae went to his local Community Wealth Building to get started with his new career before heading to CDS Tractor Trailer Training in Richmond. Before his training, Mr. Bowler had no experience with driving a manual and has thoroughly enjoyed his time learning to use a clutch as well as the ins and outs of the trucking industry. Jai Rae was excited to earn his Class A CDL with the help of CDS.

Finding a Job after CDL Training

Jai Rae shared with Mayor Bowler that he had already been pre-hired with a trucking company during his training. He was very excited to already have such a great career opportunity even though he had completed his training quite yet. Jai Rae shared he was looking most forward to getting on the road and seeing the country. His long-term goal is to start his own trucking company. Mr. Bowler’s advice to new students is to stay dedicated to their training as well as disciplined.

Thanking Mayor Stoney

Again, CDS would like to thank Mayor Stoney for making this special visit to our Richmond Training Center. We enjoyed your time with us and hope you now have a greater understanding of our CDL training programs. We appreciate your work on making sure communities like Richmond are providing its residents with career opportunities. Like Mayor Stoney says, “RICHMOND WORKS!”

Why the Trucking Industry Needs Drivers

Posted on by Paradigm Media

The trucking industry is essential for the American economy. Nearly every part of the US economy relies on truckers in one way or another, with more than 70% of all freight in the United States moved by trucks. But reports of a driver shortage floods the news outlets and trucking communities. This is leaving many questions to be answered regarding the current state of the trucking industry and the future of American freighting. Check out the Fox New’s Special featuring CDS’ President, Jill Balleh to learn more about the trucker shortage.

Truck Driver Shortage

Bob Costello, Chief Economist for the American Trucking Associations (ATA), explains that, while freight volumes are steadily increasing, creating a need for more truck drivers, the United States is still suffering from an extreme shortage of qualified drivers. The ATA reported a shortage of roughly 50,000 drivers in 2017. With expectations that steadily increasing freight volumes and a continued diminishing of drivers, this will only make things more difficult down the road. If the current trends are sustained, Costello warns of a shortage of over 174,000 drivers by the year 2026. So what’s happening to all our drivers, and what is being done to correct the shortage?

A Solution to the Need

One of the primary explanations for our current driver shortage is demographics in the industry. The average age of truck drivers is roughly ten years older than the average age of workers in comparable industries. Truckers are aging and retiring, and companies must work to bring fresh, younger drivers into the industry. Gender issues also exist; while 47% of American workers are women, females make up only 6% of qualified truck drivers today.

Increased demand for truckers puts more stress on the driver pool currently available today. With companies like Amazon and Walmart expanding their online sales exponentially, the need for OTR drivers grows as well. This creates a growing need for more drivers every day, as more freight must be moved by truck to keep the supply chains in motion and the economy thriving.

Many companies are actively working to correct the current driver shortage and prevent further issues from arising in the future. By increasing wages and benefits, companies hope to attract younger workers to the industry and compete with other industries. Businesses are also working to improve the lifestyle associated with truck driving, allowing for more time at home, more options in routes, and generally more enjoyable experiences as drivers.

The First Step to Entering the Industry

The growing demand for truck drivers and the improving pay, benefits, and conditions make now the perfect time to earn your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and get on the road as a driver. Companies across the nation are constantly searching for fresh, qualified candidates to join the expanding industry.

With CDS Tractor Trailer Training, you can become a licensed, qualified truck driver in as little as 20-days. CDS offers training programs for both Class A and B CDL. CDS provides students with tuition aid, job placement assistance, and an experienced career services department to get you hired as soon as your graduate.

Take advantage of the demand for qualified truck drivers, contact us today to get started earning your CDL!

Trucking Simulator Helps During CDL Training

Posted on by Paradigm Media

Driving a big rig truck can be intimidating, especially the first time you get behind the wheel. Learning how and when to shift gears, sightlines, and even the feel of being in the driver’s seat can take time before you feel comfortable. With the truck driving simulator at CDS Tractor Trailer Training, students can raise their comfort level behind a big rig and gain the much-needed experience before they hit the road.

Where Training and Technology Come Together

At CDS Tractor Trailer Training, we believe that 21st-century technology can better prepare new drivers for the unique experience of driving a tractor-trailer. This is one reason why we have invested in cutting-edge simulation technology. This provides students with realistic feedback as they drive in a simulated environment.

The CDS truck simulators are a Kenworth replica with a seat facing three large screens that display an outside environment. The environment can change with the press of a button, and students can suddenly find themselves driving in sand, ice, snow, wind gusts, or fog and navigating the terrain of everything from a desert to the mountains. The load of the truck can also be changed or distributed differently, which students have to adjust to as well.

The truck simulator includes everything a real truck has, including air breaks, emergency signals, and a clutch while simulating an Eaton Fuller transmission.

Essential Part of CDL Training

Our trucking simulator is a core part of the 20-day truck driving training program at CDS. Once students finish their classroom training and receive their CDL learner’s permit, CDS will get them into the simulator to work on shifting gears. If a student wants more practice they can always schedule additional time with the simulator. Thanks to the technology, students like Mouktar Fawehinmi, are comfortable with shifting by the time they are on the road. Fawehimi spoke about the CDS simulation stating, “Before I used the simulator, shifting was hard for me, especially remembering it. I used to look at the shift and take my eyes off the road.” Now, students like Mouktar feel like a pro once they get behind a real truck.

Providing the Best for Students

At CDS, we want to provide the best possible training for our students. To do so, we have found that our trucking simulators are a helpful resource. All three CDS training centers have a trucking simulator for students to use and practice on before driving in our trucks. If you are interested in earning your CDL and would like to try out our simulator, stop on by one of our locations! We would love to show you around and discuss your training and tuition assistance options!

Trucking: Not Just a Man’s World

Posted on by Paradigm Media

Updated May 2022

Over the next ten years, the trucking industry will create one million new jobs. That’s 100,000 jobs per year! But even now, there is a huge shortage of professional truck drivers. While much of this shortage has to do with an aging workforce and a lack of young people pursuing the profession, there’s a much bigger underlying issue–the lack of female truckers.

Even though 47% of the American workforce is female, women only make up 7.8% of truckers, according to the American Trucking Association (ATA). Between this enormous demographic split and the overall shortage of truckers in the world, trucking is a prime career field for women. Here are the top three reasons why women should consider the truck driving industry.

1. Demand is high 

With 100,000 jobs opening up in the trucking industry annually, men alone won’t be able to fill the demand for drivers. This means that, regardless of your gender, there will always be job opportunities for licensed truck drivers all over the country, and job security is high.

2. Pay is competitive

The average salary for a truck driver in the United States was $48,310 in 2021, but those who work for private fleets can make almost double. Since drivers are in-demand, most companies have great benefits, too. And on top of all that, wages for truck drivers are rising anywhere from 8-12% every year, according to the ATA’s chief economist. Recently, major carriers in the industry have been raising pay past the initial 8-12%.

3. Promotions are standard

In the trucking industry, pay raises and bonuses based on both time at the company and safe driving are incredibly common. If you get a job in trucking, you won’t be stuck with entry-level pay for long, unlike many other industries.

The trucking industry is not biased towards women and is in need of more women to join the industry. If these statistics are making you consider a career in trucking, the first step is getting your CDL. With three locations across the state of Virginia, CDS Tractor Trailer Training is the prime place to get certified and start your career in trucking off right. CDS provides Tuition Assistance to students to make sure CDL training is affordable for students.

Contact us to learn more about how you can launch your in-demand, high-paying career today!

Advantages to Earning a Commercial Driver’s License

Posted on by Paradigm Media

Updated September 2021

If you have been considering a change of careers, then you may want to consider the benefits of earning a CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) could provide you. While the country depends on those with commercial driver’s licenses to provide goods and services, there is currently a shortage of qualified drivers to fill open positions. This is making it more advantageous than ever to take a CDL training course. Here are just a few reasons to consider earning a CDL.

Trucking is On the Rise

The demand for truck drivers is at an all-time high. As the country continues to live through the COVID-19 pandemic, consumer spending further increases freight demand. That is not the only thing the pandemic has impacted. Due to the demand for those with a commercial driver’s license, the pay has increased to upwards of $70,000. This means new truck drivers can be earning more at a faster rate.

Minimal Training Requirements

Many career paths will require you to possess a college degree. This can take 4-6 years to complete while causing students to rack up tens of thousands of dollars in debt. Alternatively, earning your CDL only requires a short-term commitment. Training programs last weeks rather than years. Additionally, CDL training courses are fairly affordable, which can help to ensure that you don’t start your new career saddled with debt.

Diverse Career Options

While other degrees and training programs may limit you to a single career path, you will have diverse career options to choose from after gaining a CDL. Drivers can choose from becoming a cross-country truck driver to working locally making short deliveries. There is a variety of options with a CDL. With a CDL, you could also choose to become a bus driver, or you could even start training to become a firefighter as you often need a commercial license to drive a fire engine. The career options available to you are truly endless when you possess a CDL.

Job Security

Choosing a career as a commercial driver will also help to ensure your future job security. Not only is there currently a shortage of commercial drivers because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but no matter what happens to the economy, products will still need to be delivered across the country. Truck driving is one career that can definitely ensure your future job security.

See The Country

Should you choose to use your CDL to become a truck driver, this will give you a unique opportunity to see the country. From the city to the countryside, you could see it all. Not many people get to experience the United States like a truck driver.

Flexibility

While many jobs require a fairly regimented routine and schedule, the fact is that not everyone likes the idea of being stuck at a cubicle from 9-5 Monday through Friday week after week. A CDL will provide you with career options that allow for flexibility, meaning that your job location and time, may not be constant. For many people, this can help prevent them from becoming bored with their work. It may even provide them with the flexibility to create their own schedule based on their wants/needs.

There are a variety of benefits that you can gain by earning a commercial driver’s license. Contact us to learn more about these benefits as well as to learn more about the unique career options earning a CDL could present you with. CDS is proud to provide all students with tuition assistance and job placement help throughout their training.

4 Ways to Pay for CDL Training

Posted on by Paradigm Media

The thought of paying for a school of any kind can be daunting, and CDL training is no exception. One of the biggest concerns potential students have at CDS is how they will be able to pay for training. While the price tag at first may seem a bit much, we want you to know you have options. Keeping reading to find out four ways you can pay for CDL training without breaking the bank.

GI Bill®

As a veteran looking to get CDL training, CDS is on the list of schools approved for Veteran Educational Benefits. You can use the GI Bill® to fund your training. We have Veteran Certifying Officials on staff to help you through our entire application process.

Fast Forward Grant Funding

This grant, formerly called the Workforce Credentials Grant Program, will pay for two-thirds of your tuition for a year of schooling for however long you have been living in Virginia. Students must be a resident for at least a year before applying. Students will not have to pay it back as long as they finish their schooling in the allotted time frame.

WorkForce Funding (WIOA)

CDS is a state-approved vendor for the Workforce Program, which offers training resources to qualified individuals. In order to be eligible to apply towards this grant, students receiving unemployment, SNAP benefits, or have recently been laid off.

Alternative Options

CDS works with banks, agencies, and other programs to help students find the funding options that best fits their current situation. This can include TAP, DARS, Vocational Rehabilitation, and other public and private resources.

If you are considering CDL training, do not let your financial situation stop you from enrolling. Contact CDS to learn about our training programs and to discuss all of your options.

 

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
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