CCAC to Host Class B/Passenger CDL Training Open House on July 8

CCAC recently added CDL Class B + Passenger Endorsement training as part of its Workforce Development program offerings. An open house is scheduled for Monday, July 8, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at CCAC Boyce Campus (595 Beatty Rd, Monroeville, 15146).

The new program, which began in March, offers students the opportunity to train to earn a Pennsylvania Class B + Passenger Endorsement Commercial Driver's License (CDL) in four weeks. A new session is set to begin on Monday, July 29. Classes will meet at 8:00 a.m. at CCAC Boyce Campus.

CCAC's 80-hour curriculum prepares students for the CDL Class B + Passenger Endorsement knowledge, skills and road tests. This course will also help students develop or upgrade the industry skills that are necessary or required for industrial truck and passenger operators in a competitive economy. The skills that will be developed, upgraded or updated by this course include classroom and simulation training, inspecting a vehicle, backing and parking, and completing a daily log. After finishing the training, students will have the ability to safely drive commercial Class B vehicles.

The curriculum also covers preparation for the PA Department of Transportation licensing test, information on DOT Hours of Service regulations, mapping and planning a safe driving route, industry terminology, and career opportunities.

Class B/Passenger CDL is the second highest category of CDL. A person with a CDL-B is qualified to drive combination vehicles under 26,000 lbs., such as straight trucks; buses including city transport buses; school buses and tour buses; segmented buses; delivery and courier trucks; concrete delivery trucks; dump and garbage trucks; and utility repair vehicles. CDL Class B opportunities include jobs with municipalities, bus companies, motor coach companies, limousine service companies and construction companies.

Based on the Department of Labor's High Priority Occupations list for the Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board region, the percentage of growth over the past year for passenger vehicle drivers has increased by 29%, with more than 500 jobs open in the Pittsburgh region. Specifically, for transit and intercity bus drivers alone, the increase is over 10%, with 175 open positions. Starting salaries for bus drivers are $42K and can be higher based on employer demand.

Registration is not required for the July 8 open house event. For more information, contact the CDL office at 724.325.6834 or CDL@ccac.edu.