December 24, 2011
The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register

Eastern Gateway Community College will bring a Commercial Drivers License program to Jefferson County in January.

The Big Rig Truck Driving School Inc., an Ohio licensed CDL training provider, and Eastern Gateway have partnered to offer a class A, basic truck driver training program.

Explosive industry growth coupled with a lack of qualified personnel to meet it means there are more jobs available in the trucking industry than ever before, according to officials. In addition, the opportunity for CDL drivers finding a high paying job within the shale and natural gas industry is high.

The basic truck driving training prepares adults, 18 or older, for entry-level positions as tractor-trailer drivers. This is a 160-hour program. Course prerequisites include a valid driver’s license, two years’ passenger driving experience, an acceptable driving record, passing an Ohio Department of Transportation physical exam, passing an ODOT drug/alcohol screen, have no substance abuse convictions in the last five years, have basic reading/math skills and pass the state written test for the CDL temporary permit.

The first class begins Jan. 30. Classes are scheduled to begin the last Monday of every month excluding weeks with holidays on a Monday. Class times are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. The classroom site is Eastern Gateway’s Pugliese Center, 110 John Scott Highway.

The maneuverability location will be the Treasure Island Flea Market in Wintersville. Cost of the course is $4,995. This includes all training materials, textbooks, ODOT physical exam fee, drug and alcohol screen fee, CDL skills test fee and use of a tractor/trailer for taking the skills test.

Students are responsible for program payment in full before the first day of class to be included in class assignment.

Ohio and West Virginia WIA funding is available for those who qualify. Financial aid and funding options include personal loans through local financial institutions, and eligible students can apply for Ohio and West Virginia Workforce Investment Act.

Instructors are licensed by the Ohio Department of Public Safety and have an average of 15 years over-the-road truck driving experience. Instructors have been trained to give the National Safety Council Professional Truck Driver Defensive Driving Course.

To register, call Big Rig TDS toll free at 800-438-6180, fax 330-456-2648 or e-mail:bigrigmgr@bigrigtds.com.