600 hour advanced truck driver training course.

Hello everyone, my name is Brian and I am a director of sorts of a new program we are starting up at our vocational school. The program is for aspiring owner operators who want to get some real world, or as much real world experience that one can get in 600 hours. It's an advanced curriculum, teaching finances, how to use load boards, SIC numbers, rules, and basically just any and everything that could possibly go wrong. We want to teach these people that it Isn't a cake walk so to speak, and you really have to put time and effort into running the business. We also discuss the more "not so discussed" stuff, like drug use, prostitutes, and just all the bad temptations that you should stay away from. Currently we have 6 students in this advanced course which we provide housing for if needed. Most of these guys are vets and make great candidates for owner operators. They are loyal, smart, pay attention, great people, but most of all disciplined.

Something else we are doing to give these people some real world experience, is hooking up with a local trucking company so they can get some real driving time under them. They'll be able to drive, deal with the scales, learn how to deal with shippers and receivers, and also learn general customer service skills. In addition to that, we have our own small trucking company that the school owns. With that entity, they can learn how to book loads, how to bid on loads, how to manage the truck, and learn the ends and outs of actually running a real trucking company through actually doing what needs to be done. They will literally be making some of the decisions in booking the loads and dealing with the brokers and the actual shippers. Then they will hop in one of the schools trucks, with one of the instructors and actually deliver the load that they booked and help get together. They will get to do and see everything that it takes to be successful as a own op. They will also learn how hard it is too. I try to let the students know, that this isn't easy. Some days will be way better than others, and some days will make you want to quit. However, with a good business plan, perseverance, good financial decisions, and the drive to succeed, then anything is possible.

Nows, heres why I'm on here. I'm looking for 300 hours of curriculum. We are currently writing the curriculum and coming up with lessons, however we are finding it hard to come up with other things to discuss in the classroom. We have taught them the basics in the 160 hour course, so we review that, then start talking about everything I've discussed in the other paragraphs. Basically what I need are ideas. Anything and everything you can think of that would need to be taught and discussed. I know you guys have great stories and and ton of knowlege. I ask that you please share that knowledge and your ideas. Maybe you experienced something that I haven't, and thought...man if I was told about that in school, then I would've been prepared. Thats the kinds of things I need. Things that you would've liked to learn while in school, or before you became a own op. Anything and everything will help. I will be monitoring this thread a lot, and will have a pen and paper ready to write down every suggestion that is presented to me. I will like to thank you in advance and thank you for taking the time to read this thread. I look forward to any and all ideas and suggestions. Thank you -Brian

 

Essentially, yes. We wanted to do more than the basic 160 hour course. It's just the minimums and doesn't really teach real world scenarios. This program is specifically for aspiring owner operators who want to learn the in's and out's of that part of the industry, while getting actual driving time. We calculated that a student in this program will receive between 4-6 months worth of actual driving experience while running local with the option of running OTR with the other company I spoke about for about 3 weeks to get that ever so needed OTR experience. Well, as much experience that 3 weeks can possibly give. Like I said, It's a new program and we are still brainstorming and trying to work out the bugs. Again, it's basically teaching to become an owner operator.

 

Fair question I guess. Let me answer that with a question. Theres a ton to cover when teaching someone not only to drive, but to run a business. So, I challenge you to try and come up with 300 50 min lessons. It's a difficult thing. Like I said this is a new program, and anything new is bound to run into some situations. As of now, the 300 hours is a rough estimate of classroom time. We will figure that out along the way. The important part is teaching these people the skills they need to become successful business owners.

 

My apologies. I should've said that 6 of our students who are in the 160 hour program are interested in this new program. Now since thats all cleared up, do you have anything positive to add? Like I said, all ideas are welcomed.

 

Thats exactly why this course is so long. Thats why they have a chance to try it out so to speak. They learn valuable skills driving and business wise. Before they jump into their own truck, they will have a better understanding of how it works. We are trying to eliminate that wash out rate. We aren't accepting everyone that wants in the program either. We want the best. Then if they see that being a owner op isn't for them, then they have the choice to go to a regular company, but with actual driving, documented experience. Why? Cause, they will be actually working and driving for a company during their training.