It's time to revive this one with a "twist." I've been asked to do a "feasability study" for a local Vo Tech here in West Central PA. There are plans to expand and modernize the existing school which in the past has been training all high school students. Now they want to incorporate adult ed. in the upgrade. The "twist" is that now I'll be dealing with representatives from 10 school districts and not an "owner". I need to educate these folks on the need for a good LEGITIMATE Truck driving Program in this area. Any thoughts?
It's time to revive this one with a "twist." I've been asked to do a "feasability study" for a local Vo Tech here in West Central PA. There are plans to expand and modernize the existing school which in the past has been training all high school students. Now they want to incorporate adult ed. in the upgrade. The "twist" is that now I'll be dealing with representatives from 10 school districts and not an "owner". I need to educate these folks on the need for a good LEGITIMATE Truck driving Program in this area. Any thoughts?
The MAIN thing to make a school legit? How about having some standard of the students that you will accept into the program? There are sooooooooo many schools that will accept the human debris of society into the schools simply because they can get funding! Just like a REAL college, there needs to a level of personal accomplishment to attend the school!
It's a shame that the schools now are "training" classrooms full of people who do not meet the minimum standards to even get hired by the industry. There is nothing more frustrating to a professional nstructor than to be wasting time on some "recreational occupation shopper" who is only there to keep their welfare checks coming in.
Physical exams, Drug tests, Driving records, Criminal history records and an intent to hire letter from a few companies could help the schools get some money actually paid back to them would be a start.
Thanx for the input Fozzy. I would go strictly by the FMCSR as far as admissions go. I would have to get across that a school has to be run just like a trucking co. as far as the student paperwork goes. ie. DQ file on all students. If a student coming in had a little "trouble" meeting these quals, then maybe 2 or more pre-hire letters before he/she could start.
Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there.
Fozzy
Long Nose 379 Pete with 6 1/4 under the hood
Thanx for the input Fozzy. I would go strictly by the FMCSR as far as admissions go. I would have to get across that a school has to be run just like a trucking co. as far as the student paperwork goes. ie. DQ file on all students. If a student coming in had a little "trouble" meeting these quals, then maybe 2 or more pre-hire letters before he/she could start.
This is the main problem as I see it. It is the governments (local/state and federal) who are insisting that the non-employable receive the same (if not more) chances to receive training. The DOT and FMCSR standards are basically worthless when it comes to employability. People with poor driving, medical, criminal records ALL basically meet these standards and can attend trucking schools and receive the CDL. The problem is when you add the liability and the insurance companies (a lot of companies are self insured) and their higher requirements. This is the reason that I get sacks full of Email with people who have a CDL license and no jobs.
Maybe a half day of orientation or siminar about the requirements of both the job AND the requirements of getting hired. It would be a bummer to see probably half the class leave and not come back, but it sure would beat the waste of time and money for everyone involved?
truckertom
Long Nose 379 Pete with 6 1/4 under the hood
Post by truckertom on Oct 22, 2005 17:27:06 GMT -5
"There are sooooooooo many schools that will accept the human debris of society into the schools simply because they can get funding!"
Amen! We have become a contract training school in an attempt to stay afloat, many of these students we are getting now are becomming washouts. There has got to be a basic requirement test, we have had a few sent to us lately that cannot read....so they put them on the machine and let them take the recorded test.
Now how is that going to help them when they can't even read a map?
I think the lead instructor should be required to take the grads on a road test at the end of the course so that he HAS to ride with the problem children. That way he KNOWS what his instructors are putting on the road.
"They didn't abolish slavery....they just made it pay a little better"--TruckerTom
Good idea about the road test. It just doesn't make any sense. The FMCSR says a driver has to be able to read and write the English language, yet the states have a way for someone to take the test verbally if they can't. Fozzy, I'm going to bring up your idea about a short seminar to teach the board about the regs. we have to go by. Thanks for the input guys. I'll keep you posted.
Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there.
The Province of Aberta is implementing a program such as you are looking for. It is (yes really) a 34 week program. A large portion of that 34 weeks is in a "real job" setting where the students spend time on the road with a company trainer.
These trainers will also go through a training program to show them what is expected from their contributions.
I am still unsure of the actual training program schedule. If I can track down more information, I will post it here.
There are moves afoot here to have truck driving reclassed as a trade, with a 2 year "apprenticeship". Currently, the Government classes truck drivers as "Semiskilled manual workers". We feel that such a reclassification will help people to understand that "not just anyone" can drive a truck successfully.
I think that a program for truck driving should be tiered. By this, I mean that the first week should be a separate program of familiarisation with the industry. This would be separately invoiced and paid for by the student.
This would give both the student and the school a chance to evaluate the porential for success and interest. It would also dispell any fantasies that a student may have.
Equipment should be mainly reasonably well maintained million mile tractors. The students should also be encouraged in housekeeping at each fuel stop. Out gopes the trash, wipe the dash and sweep the floor. Hey, it's part of the job, and so much nicer when you are getting into a clean tractor.
I came close to the same situation today. Except that I was in the family car bringing the wife back from the Dr.s office.
A driver with a tractor/machinery trailer entered the highway behind a 3 ton deck. The 3 ton wasn't going fast enough, so the TT decided to take the left lane. I was in the left lane, and had to take the shoulder. After he pulled back into the right lane, I came along side and pointed to the shoulder indicating I would like to talk with the driver. I recieved the "one finger salute".
I followed this guy up to a light that turned red as we approached. I got out of the car and stepped on the fuel tank indicating that I would like to chat for a moment. The driver swung the door open and yelled "get off my truck". I did so, and told him that I would chat with his boss if he wasn't wishing to talk.
I called his office, and left a voice mail for the dispatcher. I recieved a call back later telling me that the Police had dealt with the matter, and that I should be expecting to be charged for climbing up on the truck.
So, a question. Where would trespass begin? Once you went through the door? or on the step?