YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – From gas stations and grocery stores to construction sites and factories, nearly everything moves by truck. The Youngstown State University Truck Driving School trains drivers who keep that system running.
Brian Beckett, the school’s program director, discusses the Commercial Driver’s License program at YSU and the opportunities available for students pursuing careers in the trucking and transportation industry.
Beckett says the four-week Class A CDL program combines one week of classroom instruction with three weeks of behind-the-wheel training. Students learn pre-trip inspections, vehicle operations, backing maneuvers, safety procedures, defensive driving techniques and real-world transportation practices designed to prepare them for state licensing exams and professional driving careers.
He says graduates can pursue a variety of career paths, including local routes, over-the-road driving, hazardous materials transportation and owner-operator opportunities. Starting salaries often range from $45,000 to $65,000 annually, while experienced drivers and business owners can earn significantly more.
The program maintains small class sizes to provide individualized instruction and hands-on training. Beckett says students receive direct experience operating equipment and learning the skills required by employers throughout the transportation industry.
Looking ahead, YSU is exploring plans to become an official CDL testing site, expand operations to additional locations and potentially integrate CDL training with business and logistics education programs.