First batch of ESCC students graduate CDL program
What started as an idea came to complete fruition on Thursday, December 13, as 3 students from the Alabama Aviation College in Ozark received their certificates of completion in Enterprise State’s Commercial Driver’s License program. The 3 students that completed the program are Ryan Warren, Eric Smith, and Kenneth Britt.
ESCC introduced a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) program in October 2018. The CDL program is a six-week course that includes several weeks in the classroom to learn rules and regulations and the last two weeks behind the wheel.
ESCC President Matt Rodgers said we partnered with most of the trucking industries around our area and moved swiftly to provide quality training to strengthen the workforce.
“There was a need in our area to provide trained drivers for the transportation industry and I couldn’t be prouder for these 3 students,” Rodgers said.
The two instructors for the CDL course are Odie Thompson and Kemmie Williams. They are two veterans of the road and excited to see the first 3 students complete their training.
“As you’ve heard everywhere, there’s going to be a driver shortage,” ESCC trucking instructor Odie Thompson said.
“There’s not going to be; there’s already a driver shortage. There are jobs available every day for drivers. Once completing this course and getting their license, it just opens up a world of opportunity for these students.”
Obtaining the Class A CDL that ESCC trains you for gives you the ability to operate an 18-wheeler such as a tractor-trailer, tank vehicle, livestock carrier, flatbed, and any other combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds.
The next six-week course starts Monday, January 7 and the program is already taking applications.
The road to a new life and better income could be waiting for you to drive at Enterprise State Community College. If you need any help applying, we are here for you! We have a team on our Ozark Alabama Aviation College campus that can assist you. Give us a call at 334-347-2623, extension 3610 if we can help you, email us questions at ldubose@escc.edu, or visit escc.edu/cdl.
Cutline: First class to finish ESCC’s Commercial Driver’s License Program. Left to right: Ryan Warren, Eric Smith, and Kenneth Britt