CDL program begins Sept. 4

Aug. 22, 2018

 

     For those who want to learn to drive the big rigs, Ashland Community and Technical College if offering a short-term program to get aspiring commercial drivers ready for the road.
     ACTC’s commercial driver’s license program is designed for individuals with little or no commercial driving experience and will prepare drivers for an entry-level position in the trucking industry.
     A certificate is awarded to students who complete the program, which can be completed in four weeks by attending full-time, from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
The course is broken down into 40 hours of classroom activities and 120 hours of yard and road skills.
     Topics outlined in the course include: orientation, job procurement, map reading and trip planning, DOT regulations, night operation, extreme driving conditions, parking, backing, turns, uphill/downhill, ramps, lane changes and more.
     Shannon McCarty is ACTC’s diesel technology program coordinator and said the college’s tractor/trailer combination is a high-quality vehicle to train on.
     “New students, especially those who have never been in a ‘big rig,’ will be impressed by the size. It’s like nothing you have ever driven,” he said. “I remember the first time I drove one around the parking lot almost 30 years ago. Everything is different: the view, the space needed to turn, the feeling of the power the engine has, all of the gauges, knobs, switches and all of the gears. This truck has a ten-speed transmission that students will have to learn to navigate.”
     McCarty said ACTC’s procurement of a truck is also beneficial for the diesel program.
     “It gives the students the opportunity to inspect, maintain and repair a real-world piece of equipment,” he said. “I think my students are as excited about having it here as the truck driving students will be when they begin their program. Along with all of this, when speaking to people in industry I see that there is a huge demand for truck drivers as well as technicians to work on them. It’s an exciting time to be in this field seeing all of the opportunities for young people finding their path in the world.”
     The program begins Tuesday, Sept. 4 and students may register at any time; however, class size is limited. Enrollments are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. New classes start each month. Training is scheduled around holidays and interruptions caused by weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
     A high school diploma or GED is not required, however students must be able to read and write the English language, be over 21 years old, be able to meet the Federal Department of Transportation physical requirements and have a valid driver’s license at the time of registration.
Students may be accepted into the program at age 18, but job placement assistance is limited for those under 21 years old.
     Cost for the program is $3,795. Those interested in ACTC’s CDL program should complete a registration packet at the Roberts Drive Campus, 4700 Roberts Drive
Ashland, Ky., 41102. For more information, contact Workforce Solutions at 606-326-2072 or email as_workforce@kctcs.edu.