It is easy to associate White Mountains Community College (formerly NH Community College-Berlin) with a range of traditional two year degree programs. But non-credit certificate programs also represent an important part of what we have to offer. These programs can range from a lengthy culinary apprenticeships at one of the grand hotels, to shorter durations LNA preparation courses. Commercial Driver Training is such a program.
The Commercial Driver Training program at White Mountains Community College was developed by the college in partnership with local businesses that expressed a need for well-trained drivers. From a modest beginning of one truck and one part-time instructor, the program today boasts six trucks and five part-time instructors, and offers four different instruction programs. The range of programs and availability of instructors makes it possible for beginning students to prepare for both Class A and Class B licensure. In addition, drivers needing to upgrade their license from Class B to Class A, as well as drivers seeking short-term, hourly instruction are served.
This flexibility has enabled the college to meet the changing needs of the community through good times and times of trouble. In 2001-2002, over eighty men and women from the shuttered mill properties in Berlin trained for and received their commercial drivers licenses. More recently, the college has trained several dozen men and women seeking new opportunities in the aftermath of the 2006 mill closures in Groveton and Berlin.
The Commercial Driver Training program differs from traditional truck driving schools in several important ways. First, the philosophy of the program is not to prepare students to pass the state tests; rather the focus is on the development of professional vehicle operators. Thus, safe operating skills share equal focus with driver conduct, record keeping, employer-employee relations, vehicle inspection, load care, and a host of related topics. Successful completion of the state tests is an offshoot of this work, and often occurs well before the class is complete. As a result, the program runs for a full twelve weeks, unlike traditional truck driving schools which rarely reach six weeks in duration. A final key difference is in cost. Our tuition consistently stays lower than most other schools, often by several thousand dollars.
As a career, Commercial Vehicle operation stands out in several ways: The U.S. Department of Labor projects that employment in new jobs will increase 9%-17% over the next seven years, and increased demand for professional drivers to fill the ranks of retirees will continue. With experienced and reliable drivers in some cases commanding annual salaries in excess of $60,000, increasing numbers of couples, women, and retirees are considering a life on the road. Considering that a twelve-week training commitment can bring about this opportunity, commercial vehicle operation compares favorably to careers demanding much lengthier and more expensive education and training.
Support from the business community is a bulwark of all that we do at your community college, and this program is no exception. From its earliest inception with the help of local companies, the Commercial Driver Training program has relied on local businesses - large and small - for assistance. The program advisory board is made of community members with an expertise and interest in the success of the program, and the faculty is predominantly drawn from retired local drivers. This support has also been manifested in very generous donations. Most recently, Robert Chapman donated a tank trailer to the school, rehabilitated at his expense. Law Transportation and Ken Corrigan have also recently donated equipment. The college has also developed a strong relationship with the state Division of Motor Vehicles.
Today, the Commercial Driver Training program offers a regular cycle of Class A and Class B driver training: four classes of each annually. Upgrade classes and hourly training are offered on an as-needed basis, with weekend and evening hours available. Graduates pass their state tests at a 100% rate and are recruited by local, regional, and national businesses, and often return to share stories of their careers with a new crop of students. We expect this program to continue to grow and evolve to meet the needs of the community. If you want to be an integral part of an industry that keeps America moving, consider enrolling in the Commercial Driver Training Program.
If you have questions, thoughts, or comments about this article, please e-mail keneguess@ccsnh.edu.
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