Advanced Heavy Truck Driving
Potential earnings range:
$43,618-$57,179*
Per year after graduation
Do you enjoy long car rides? Are you organized and detail-oriented? Like helping others and following a routine?
Then you may be a good fit for Job Corps’ Advanced Heavy Truck Driving training program.
On the job, you will ...
- Transport goods from one location to another
- Maneuver trucks into loading or unloading positions
- Follow signals from loading crews
- Verify instructions and routes
- Check vehicles to ensure that mechanical, safety and emergency equipment is in good working order
Some of the career options you will have ...
In addition to becoming a heavy truck driver, people who complete this course of study can go on to become forklift operators, diesel technicians, warehouse associates, training instructors, terminal managers, bus drivers, dispatchers and mechanics.
The credentials you will earn ...
In the Advanced Heavy Truck Driving training program, you will earn industry-recognized credentials and/or state licensures that show you have the skills and knowledge to work in transportation, logistics and customer service.
Students should also earn a state-issued learner’s permit and driver’s license upon completion of
the program.
What you’ll need to start training ...
- High school diploma or the equivalent (can be earned at all Job Corps centers)
- Complete a Job Corps basic training program
- Passing scores on all written and performance tests
- Meet academic (math and reading) requirements
- Must be 18 to obtain an intrastate truck-driving license
- Must be 21 to obtain an interstate truck-driving license
- Positive attendance and progress record
- Written recommendation from Job Corps center personnel
- Health clearance at current center
- Strong work ethic and determination to succeed
- Complete a successful phone, in-person or videoconference interview
- Pass a drug test and physical exam
- Pass a background and DMV check as governed by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
- Have a valid driver’s license with at least 18 months of driving experience
* Salary information comes from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Program and is provided for planning purposes only. Actual salary will depend on student skill level, credentials earned, experience level and location.
Meet your instructors
Jamie Lane
Jamie Lane is a CTT Advanced Heavy Truck Driving instructor at Earle C. Clements Job Corps. She has an extensive background within the transportation industry, including 10 years as an over-the-road driver, five years as a public transit bus driver and dispatcher, five years in transportation management, and three years as a logistics manager. Jamie is a certified safety officer for the Secretary of State of Illinois and holds her regulation certification for the Department of Transportation. To Jamie, teaching is the culmination of her career, and it allows her to take all the knowledge she has acquired and pass it along to her students.
Pete Lane
Pete Lane is an Advanced Heavy Truck Driving instructor at Earle C. Clements Job Corps. His background consists of hauling oversized loads, tankers and hauling dry van loads of product for delivery, along with six years in the truck driving field. Pete enjoys being an instructor at Earle C. Clements Job Corps because he gets to see his students grow and learn a skill that will help them grow their financial future.
Wayne Eichorn
Wayne Eichorn is an Advanced Heavy Truck Driving instructor at Earle C. Clements Job Corps. Prior to this, he worked as a county emergency medical technician and semi-truck driver, and served as county commissioner for 22 years. While holding this elected office, Ronald held various roles such as part-time trucking jobs, Hardin County ambulance director, deputy coroner, deputy sheriff and county solid waste manager, and was a heavy truck instructor at Southeastern Illinois College and Rend Lake College. Ronald also worked for the Illinois Department of Transportation as a highway maintainer for 19 years, which eventually led him to his current position at Earle C. Clements Job Corps.