Joliet Junior College Responds to Demand for Drivers
Despite the nation's high unemployment rate, there is one industry with plenty of jobs to fill.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), truck drivers and driver/sales workers hold 3.2 million jobs making it one of the nation's largest occupations. BLS expects overall job growth to be favorable, especially for long-haul drivers.
The job search web site CareerBuilder.com agrees. They report that the job outlook for truck drivers is expected to increase at about average for all occupations through 2012, but the demand for long-distance drivers should remain strong due to the need for safe transport of perishable and time-sensitive goods. To get these jobs, however, applicants will need a commercial driver's license.
In an effort to meet this demand, Joliet Junior College's Corporate and Community Services (CCS) division has created a new career program to prepare people to drive tractor-trailers and take the CDL exam.
"This program is designed for people with little or no commercial driving experience," said CCS Director, Amy Murphy. "Whether products are manufactured here or overseas, they still need to be delivered in an efficient and environmentally friendly way.
"Additionally, our recruiters work with many trucking companies that will pre-hire students. We believe that many of them receive several job offers prior to completing their training," said Murphy.
Training is held at Joliet Junior College's Weitendorf Agricultural Education Facility, 17840 Laraway Road, Joliet. The program can be completed in 4 weeks by attending full time, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. An additional 30 hours of home study is also required.
Students may enroll at any time. Full time classes start every two weeks, but can start more frequently based on location and program demand.
Anyone interested in this program should contact a recruiter at (815) 727-0957, or e-mail CDLinfo@jjc.edu .