AWC Entrepreneurial College and Yuma Truck Driving School partner to offer CDL Certification
October 9, 2024Yuma, AZ (October 9, 2024) – Arizona Western Entrepreneurial College has partnered with Yuma Truck Driving School to offer an Open Entry/Open Exit Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Certification.
Training, provided by Yuma Truck Driving School, will encompass theoretical and practical aspects of commercial driving, ensuring participants are well-prepared for the challenges of the road.
“With Yuma being a key hub for agriculture and trade, having well-trained drivers is essential for the smooth transport of goods across the region and beyond,” shared Reetika Dhawan, CEO of Arizona Western Entrepreneurial College and Vice President of Workforce & Healthcare Programs. “This program not only creates immediate job opportunities but also enhances the economic growth of our community by developing a workforce that is ready to support and sustain Yuma's industries. It’s a strategic investment in our local economy and in the futures of our students.”
The program aims to produce knowledgeable and competent professionals for entry into an industry with an ever-increasing demand for skilled drivers. Students completing the program will gain proficiency in vehicle control, backing maneuvers, handling hazardous situations, and employing safe driving techniques. Courses will also cover safe operating practices, protocol for reporting safety hazards, and implementing regulations set by the US Department of Transportation.
“The CDL trucking industry is in very high demand for more and more drivers every day. The shortage in the industry today is roughly 750,000 drivers,” said CDL Coordinator and Instructor Tanner Doak. “This program will benefit not only the industry, but also the students since they will get the best education through AWC and the Yuma Truck Driving School while getting college credits.”
The 12-credit program will take students through CDL 101, CDL 102, CDL 103, and CDL 104 before graduating with a certificate. As an Open Entry/Open Exit program, students can complete the certification at their own pace.
“Through hands-on experience in collaboration with Yuma Truck Driving School, we're offering more than a certification - we're creating pathways to rewarding careers and a future on the road,” shared Cinthia Alvarez, Executive Director and Dean of Career and Technical Education.
While a start date is yet to be determined, interested parties are invited to attend a free information meeting on October 21st from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the ARIZONA@WORK Martin Luther King Youth Career Center, 300 South 13th Avenue, Yuma, AZ.
To enroll in the program, students must:
• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a DMV/DOT driver’s license for more than one year
• Complete and pass a DMV/DOT state driver’s background check
Financial aid is currently available through ARIZONA@WORK-Yuma County.
For more information, visit www.azwestern.edu/cdl. Questions about the program can be answered via phone at (928) 344-7567 or by email at cdl@azwestern.edu.
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Yuma Truck Driving School is a private, post-secondary educational institution that has trained hundreds of students and is a branch campus of HDS Truck Driving Institute. Their graduates are working for many of the nation’s top over-the-road, regional, and local carriers. Yuma Truck Driving School is licensed by the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division and is a member of the Better Business Bureau and the Commercial Vehicle Training Association.
Contact:
Cinthia Alvarez
Executive Director & Dean of Career and Technical Education
Arizona Western College
cinthia.alvarez@azwestern.edu
(928) 317-6038