Eastern Oklahoma State College truck driving program began with the first class May 27 followed by an Open House and chamber of commerce ribbon cutting June 6 at the McAlester campus.
(Press Release 6-19-03)
Office of Public Information

A new truck driver program began with the first class May 27 at the McAlester Campus of Eastern Oklahoma State College for entry level truckers according to Eastern President Dr. Bill Campion.

Three semi trailer trucks have been delivered and the first class of 20 has filled. The second class is “about full,” Director Albert Sells says, “and should be totally filled by next week.”

Eastern held an open house from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. June 5 at the McAlester campus with a chamber of commerce ribbon cutting. Several trucking companies attended the ceremony at the McAlester campus including Werner trucking from Omaha; Arrow Trucking, Tulsa; and Swift Transportation of Phoenix, AZ. Several trucks were available for public view.

Campion said the national demand for truckers is exceeding the supply.

“Additional locations will follow in the Idabel and Durant areas.

“We’re beginning the program in the McAlester because we have been granted access to a large paved area east of the McAlester airport. The student drivers need a large area to practice maneuvering the 18 wheelers.

“The U.S. Department of Labor and the American Trucking Association tell us that more than 450,000 new over-the-road drivers will be needed each year through 2005.

“With the entry level driver earning between $25,000 and $35,000 annually, this is a place where Eastern can make an economic impact for our area quickly,” Campion said.

The training takes four weeks or 200 clock hours for completion. Students attend classes five days a week, 10 hours each day from 7 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.

Classroom instruction will prepare students for all of the Class “A” Commercial Drivers License (CDL) written exams including tanker, doubles/triples and hazardous materials endorsements. Students will also receive hands-on driving experience to prepare them for the CDL driving exam at the Department of Public Safety.

Class instruction also teaches students to maintain a logbook, Department of Transportation (DOT) rules and regulations, map reading and trip planning, the National Safety Counsel’s Defensive Driving Course for trucks, safety procedures along with alcohol and drug effects. Also included in the class, students will learn laws and penalties applicable to the professional driver, cargo documentation, dispatch procedures and emergency responsibilities of transportation agencies.

During the last week of training, students take the CDL driving exam and receive their Class A CDL with endorsements.

After graduation students enter into an on-the-job paid training program with the company who hired them. Company training ranges from four to eight weeks depending on each company’s requirements. Program administrators say there is a 98 percent job placement for graduating students.

Average incomes for first-year entry-level over-the-road drivers range from $25,000 to $35,000. Most companies offer benefit packages including bonuses, major medical, dental, vision and life insurance as well as 401K retirement and credit union benefits.

Various forms of financial assistance for the training are available to students which will allow training at no cost to the student.

For questions and enrollment information contact Becky Bryant at Eastern’s Wilburton campus at (918) 465-2361, ext. 214, or the McAlester campus at (918) 426-5272, ext. 20. She may also be reached by e-mail at rbryant@eosc.edu or Albert Sells at the McAlester campus.