VA Apprenticeship
Topic 23619 | Page 1
Josh, we have a massive section of our forum dedicated to people going through apprenticeship programs, otherwise known as Paid CDL Training Programs .
Check out our CDL Training Diaries. You'll find tons of amazing information on all of the different companies and what it's like going through their training programs.
Now you mentioned VA apprenticeship. I'm not familiar with that specifically, but I don't think there would be a huge difference in your training regardless. You may get to skip the CDL exam or something with a military exception or something, but otherwise I don't think your experience will be any different than anyone else's.
We have an article here that I wrote about these paid programs: Why I Prefer Paid CDL Training Over Private CDL Training.
You can also Apply For Paid CDL Training here on our site with a bunch of different companies.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Josh
Are you looking for VA rehab training? If so, look at the VA homepage, and they will give in the in's and out's. I have been on here for the better part of 6 months as I wait for my medical retirement to finish. While I am going to be over the cutoff % to qualify for VA Rehab Training, I wouldn't use it for this since the best avenue is the paid CDL training that Brett mentioned.
Best of luck Chris
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Beyond the resources here, I would check the company sites.
Wil-Trans Veterans (identical)
Or, the dept. of Labor
Post 9/11 GI Bill Apprenticeship Program
Or the VA (though I might trust a recruiter more than the VA)
VA Post 9/11 Apprenticeship Program
The trucking company has nothing to do with the program, the program is simply that the VA pays you while you train, from my limited reading. Though in any case, the GI Bill is paying and administering the program, the trucking company has nothing to do with it, beyond being willing to participate.
Call the company and talk directly to their recruiter. They have no reason to lie, but still, ask them to email you everything. That way it is in writing. Their goal is to get and retain drivers. If they lie, you will simply leave, and the company will have invested all that money in you for nothing. It isn't like the military, where once you are in you are stuck. If you decide to leave the company, you will have to pay for school, but they won't be sending MPs to chase you down. Though, to be fair, my recruiter never lied to me, the Marines was exactly what he said it would be.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.Wil-Trans:
Darrel Wilson bought his first tractor in 1980 at age 20, but, being too young to meet OTR age requirements, he leased the truck out and hired a driver.
Through growth and acquisition, Wil-Trans now employs over 200 drivers, and has a long-standing partnership with Prime, Inc. to haul their refrigerated freight. The family of businesses also includes Jim Palmer Trucking and O & S Trucking.
Josh N.-
There is a guy in my CDL School that is using his Gi Bill to go to the school I am attending. But if I had it to do over, I would choose paid CDL training with one of the many companies here on TT. And I was not paid to say that. I will finish my last day at school today and take my DMV testing on Tuesday.
Best of luck to you.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
if I had it to do over, I would choose paid CDL training with one of the many companies here on TT. And I was not paid to say that.
And just in case anyone thinks otherwise, none of us are paid to say that either. These Paid CDL Training Programs are really a great way to go about this process.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
Josh N.-
There is a guy in my CDL School that is using his Gi Bill to go to the school I am attending. But if I had it to do over, I would choose paid CDL training with one of the many companies here on TT. And I was not paid to say that. I will finish my last day at school today and take my DMV testing on Tuesday.
Best of luck to you.
Congrats, Robert.
And he can still use company paid CDL schools I believe. The apprenticeship program, from my quick reading, just pays him while he goes. It's extra, free money.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
Im at Prime and veterans have told me the one yer commitment is shortened to 9 months for veterans, but you need to call and confirm that.
wiltrans and JP are very similar to prime in training, pull our freight and use our terminals so.it woukdnt surprise me if they do.something similar in their contract
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
Yeah save those benefits if you can. I also used the paid call training program. In the end it all worked out and I still have the GI bill. I'll use it eventually on something not going to let it go to waste. You are going to find these companies are bending over backwards for veterans these days. And also like Grumpy mentioned check out the apprenticeship program. Use the carrier with have someone who can assist you with that.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Josh if you’re talking about the program that basically pays you (the veteran) an additional amount (around $1,200/month) for the first year -kind of like on the job training- then McElroy participates in the program. Not sure where you live but like all companies they’re hiring pretty much everywhere they run.
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So maybe it's me, but all my searching on here I haven't been able to find any information about companies and the apprenticeship program that's recent. Seems like everything is 3-4 year old posts. My question is has anyone gone through any of the companies that offer the apprenticeship program within the last year? I'm currently in school and they are pushing Werner and schneider really hard! I've been really looking into jim palmer/wiltrans as well because of the regional and home time. Being prior service I don't trust recruiters and sure as heck not trusting a school who is pushing 2 companies that have crap plastered all over their walls and training trucks.. Guess I'm just looking for info on companies and current experience and recommendations. Thanks in advance.
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.