Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/655311
we will also offer them employment." Through support from KLLM, students in the program will receive scholarship opportunities to incur no out-of-pocket tuition costs, stipends during the training and a six-week paid internship if they agree to one year of employment with KLLM at the conclusion of the training. The program is designed for the 21-and- older student with no commercial driving experience and includes four weeks of school, a two-day company orientation and internship. Students earn their CDL within four weeks of training totaling 160 hours. Refresher training also is available for indi- viduals who wish to renew their CDL and obtain employment with KLLM. "This is a fantastic opportunity for the people in the PSC community and beyond who are interested in obtaining their CDL," says Dr. Terri L. Winfree, PSC president. "Through this program, students will be supplied with a marketable skill, a valuable college and industry credential and job placement. We are pleased to be part of such a unique partnership with KLLM." Texas training In September, the company celebrated the grand opening of a new training loca- tion in Lancaster, Texas. Richards cut the ribbon on the two-story 44,000-square-foot school in a ceremony with more than 300 guests in attendance. The state-of-the-art facility offers an 18- day accelerated driver training program for Texas residents and features classroom and behind-the-wheel training, road and range instruction and driver safety education. "This school represents an innovative partnership between KLLM and Cedar Valley College that will help fi ll key jobs in the nationwide trucking industry," Richards says. "It leverages KLLM's reputation as a leader in transport services with Cedar Valley's strong commitment to providing quality education that leads to jobs and career pathways." The training facility features modern classrooms, an onsite physical laboratory, simulators, electronic log and refrigeration labs, a 4-acre backing range, a full-service cafeteria and lodging facilities for 43 students in private hotel-like rooms. The residence hall section has refrigerators, microwave ovens, cable TV, Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, computer labs and a study hall. The school will help both company driv- ers and independent contractors earn their CDL and learn about professional driving techniques, DOT regulations, accident prevention, cargo claim management, temperature-control chain compliance and the ins and out of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Compliance Safety Accountability program. Upon graduation and earning a CDL license, students have the opportunity to be placed as a professional driver with KLLM/FFE. The fully accredited driving academy holds a Career School Certifi cate by the Texas Workforce Commission and is open to any Texas resident. "Our Lancaster campus is specially designed to meet the needs of new driving students and help them as they start their new careers," Blankenship says. F 8 www.FlatbedTruckingJobs.com April 2016 FLEET FOCUS Jim Richards, president and CEO