SCC’s program has a fleet of nine truck tractors and 11 trailers. Truck tractors range in age from 1991 to 2008. Students practice with Detroit Diesel, Caterpillar, Mack and Mercedes Benz engines. Transmissions used include 10-speed, 9-speed, and Super 10-speed, 13-speed and Auto-shift models. Most trailers are 48 feet long, and the program has one 53-foot trailer with plans to add others. Hands-on training is the focus. Total classroom time is 100 hours, and lab and behind-the-wheel training amounts to 240 hours. Most students will log 2,000 to 2,500 driving miles during training. The program has trained more than 2,500 students since it began.
Location Offered: Lincoln only
Overview
SCC’s Professional Truck Driver Training program is a one-quarter (10.5-week) intensive truck driving course. Students will learn to operate articulated vans and flatbed tractor trailer units. Training includes classroom/lab instruction and driving on city streets and rural roads, two-lane and interstate highways. Students perfect driving skills on the private SCC concourse and perimeter road before progressing to highway driving. Topics of instruction covered during training include accident procedures, daily driver’s log, trip planning, hazard perception, speed management, vehicle inspection, extreme driving conditions, hands-on-defensive driving, and skills development in coupling and uncoupling, backing, shifting, and city and highway driving. Students are assigned to either the first or second shift by the program. Students assigned to the first shift are scheduled from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Students assigned to the second shift attend 15 days of classroom from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. During the remaining 39 days of the quarter, students assigned to the second shift attend class from 1:30-8 p.m. The second shift may not be offered each quarter. Due to the length of the program, financial aid is not available for this course.
Mission
The mission of the Professional Truck Driver Training program is to prepare individuals for a career in the truck driving industry.
Job Outlook
Overall job opportunities should be favorable for truck drivers, although opportunities may vary greatly in terms of earnings, weekly work hours, number of nights spent on the road, and quality of equipment. Competition is expected for jobs offering the highest earnings or most favorable work schedules. Average growth is expected. Ninety-two percent of 2008 SCC program graduates found employment.