Truck Driver is a Certificate program offered by Center for Employment Training in El Centro, CA. The program takes 21 weeks (630 clock hours) to complete, with a total tuition of $11,476.
Program Overview
Upon completion of the Truck Driver program, the student should be able to obtain a Class A CDL to obtain a job as an over-the-road truck driver, van driver, milk driver, heavy and light truck driver. This program will provide fundamental knowledge of over-the-road truck driving industry. Students will learn the Department of Transportation rules and regulations as it pertains to truck driving, how to safely operate a semi-truck and trailer, mapping, and e-log book rules. Furthermore, students will demonstrate proficiency in customer service, the use of the internet, and job search skills.
What Sets This Program Apart
Enrollment Requirements: Must possess a California Class C Driver's License; must pass the Department of Transportation (DOT) Physical Exam before behind-the-wheel driving; must be approved by the Center for Employment Training Liability Insurance Company; must pass a Drug Test before behind-the-wheel driving and randomly administered after obtaining a driving permit; and must obtain a driving permit within 30 days of enrollment. A Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) covering a minimum of ten years is reviewed; students with a poor driving record will not be accepted.
CET is registered as a training provider with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and is listed on the Training Provider Registry. Upon successful completion, CET provides information to FMCSA and to the DMV confirming that entry-level drivers completed the training required by the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations.
Admission Requirements & Process
CET uses an advisor-led process. After an initial inquiry, the prospective student attends a general information session with an Admissions Advisor, selects a program, and receives a formal program presentation from an Instructor/Advisor. The governing catalog says applicants may apply at a CET location during office hours or by appointment. CET publishes no self-service applicant account or blank online admissions application.
School Information
Location
Accreditation & Approvals
CET is accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE) and approved to operate in California by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE).
Application Process
- 1Submit ApplicationComplete the online application form with your personal information and educational background.
- 2Submit TranscriptsProvide official high school transcripts or GED certificate. Some programs may require additional documentation.
- 3Financial AidComplete the FAFSA to determine eligibility for federal financial aid. Meet with a financial aid advisor to review your options.Complete FAFSA Application
- 4EnrollmentOnce accepted, complete enrollment paperwork, register for classes, and attend orientation.
Program Schedule
Class code(s): TD30. Published length: 21 weeks (630 clock hours).
Curriculum
- Basic Operations — 130 hours
- Safe Operating Procedures — 130 hours
- Advanced Operating Procedures — 63 hours
- Vehicle Maintenance — 111 hours
- Non-Vehicle Activities — 63 hours
- State License Preparation — 83 hours
- Job Preparedness — 20 hours
- Customer Service Skills — 10 hours
- Basic Computer Skills — 20 hours
- Total Hours of Instruction — 630
All programs are open enrollment; competency completion varies among students.
Cost of Attendance & Financial Aid
The governing campus catalog publishes $11,476.00 as Total Charges and states that this is program tuition; no additional tuition is assessed for students completing within the stated window. Required books/e-books and specified uniforms or protective equipment are included, subject to the catalog's opt-out limits. CET participates in federal student-aid programs for eligible students.
Career Outcomes
Job Placement Assistance
CET job developers work with students to prepare them to obtain jobs through the preparation of resumes, applications, and mock interviews. Career Service Specialists work with local industry to match CET trainees to available jobs. CET does not guarantee job placement, but does actively help job-ready individuals to find training-related jobs, follows up on students who leave the program and continues to offer additional placement assistance to those in need. In addition, CET prepares students to identify job opportunities and to compete in the job market on their own.
Job Retention Follow-Up
It is the policy of CET to maintain records of graduates and withdrawals from the program and provide post-training follow-up services to all former students. Follow-up activities include assistance primarily to ensure job procurement; employment retention, and gathering of employment data of former students; and dissemination of information on opportunities for further education. Each of CET's programs prepares the students for occupations that are in demand in the local labor market. The programs are designed in close cooperation with local employers to ensure that CET graduates fill industry needs.
What to Expect as a CET Student
Holistic Approach
Since inception, CET's fundamental purpose was to develop and implement an effective method for training a diverse and needy population. The program therefore is designed as holistic, comprehensive, individualized, and adaptable to each person's needs.
Technical Skill Training
CET offers its students an open-entry, open-exit, competency-based employment training program. All instruction is in English. The program is individualized and covers the learning necessary for the desired occupational goals. A student advances along his/her/their own individual training plan, moving through academic and technical competencies, as he/she/they demonstrate the required mastery. The training includes a strong hands-on component using tools and equipment similar to those found in industry. CET promotes good work habits through simulation of a business environment. Attendance and punctuality are always required in recognition of their importance on the job.
Integrated Basic Skills & Human Development
CET provides contextualized academic instruction to all students. Vocational English and foundational education are systematically integrated into the skill training curriculum and are delivered within the framework of the specific occupational program in which the student is enrolled. Students' work habits, behavioral patterns, and communication skills often have as much impact on job success as does technical knowledge. In order to prepare students for the demands of the world of work, CET provides a Human Development component, with instruction in life skills, communication strategies, situations on the job, and informational sessions by professionals on topics such as general health, parenting, and budgeting.
School Information
Location
Accreditation & Approvals
CET is accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE) and approved to operate in California by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE).