The Commercial Truck Driving program, located on the Olive Branch campus, prepares students for occupations in the trucking industry. It is an 8-week course which meets five days per week. In presenting the material, the instructor uses both the lecture and demonstration method of teaching with active participation and practice by the students.
Click here for course listings and details (Major 8075).
Upon successful completion of the 240 hours, the student is awarded a certificate and nine semester hours credit.
Entrance requirements:
1. Must have high school diploma or GED equivalency.
2. Must be 21 years of age.
3. Must be able to produce a valid driver’s license. (Commercial License not required for admission - should be capable of meeting requirements.)
4. Must be capable of driving a manual transmission.
5. Must present a copy of official driver’s record.
6. Must complete D.O.T. physical and drug screen before acceptance.
7. Must have CDL learner’s permit.
The Commercial Truck Driving curriculum consists of four general categories:
1. CLASSROOM - Department of Transportation regulations, demonstrations, freight handling, defensive driving, accidents, insurance, customer relations, maintenance of equipment, etc.
2. FIELD WORK - Basic driving skills, handling of equipment, yard tests, various transmission, etc.
3. ROAD DRIVING - Actual day and night highway driving.
4. CITY DRIVING - Actual driving in city traffic.
What can I expect from a career in Commercial Truck Driving?
Almost every product sold in the United States spends at least some time in a truck. While planes, trains, and ships are also used to transport goods, no other form of transportation has the same level of flexibility as a truck. As a result, trucks are used to transport everything from canned food to automobiles. Truck drivers and driver/sales workers operate these vehicles.
Drivers are responsible for picking up and delivering freight from one place to another. This may be from a manufacturer to a distribution center, from a distribution center to a customer, or between distribution centers. In addition, drivers may be responsible for loading and unloading their cargo. They are also responsible for following applicable laws, keeping logs of their activities, and making sure that their equipment is in good working condition.
Counselor: Tim Williams Email: twilliams@northwestms.edu
Phone: 662-280-6127
Office location: DeSoto Center
Instructor: Keith Wilbanks Email: kwilbanks@northwestms.edu
Phone: 662-280-6181
What is the job outlook?
Overall employment of truck drivers and driver/sales workers is expected to grow 9 percent over the 2008-18 decade, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations. As the economy grows, the demand for goods will increase, which will lead to more job opportunities. Because it is such a large occupation, 291,900 new jobs will be created over the 2008-18 period.
How much can I earn?
Median hourly wages of heavy truck and tractor-trailer drivers were $17.92 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $14.21 and $22.56. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $11.63, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $27.07.
Median hourly wages of light or delivery services truck drivers were $13.27 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $10.07 and $17.74. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $8.10, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $24.15.
Median hourly wages of driver/sales workers, including commissions, were $10.70 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $7.74 and $15.82. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $7.09, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $21.32.
Reference:
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Last Updated Monday, August 08 2011 @ 08:18 AM CDT|1,151 Hits 