California Career School

Jeremy Crowe Shares His Training Experience

May 17, 2012 By Chuck Emanuele Leave a Comment

We want to congratulate Jeremy Crowe on his successful completion of the CDL course, obtaining both his class A and passenger endorsement!

“The instructors spent a lot of time preparing us. I noticed that there was a huge difference at the DMV between CCS and other schools. I am thankful CCS was located outside the base allowing me the time to complete this course,” Jeremy told us. “The thing that stands out the most is the quality of drivers after this course. [...] Just followed the instructions by the instructors. They made it really easy to learn.”

At the DMV, Jeremy with graduates Ruben and Jacob after obtaining their passenger endorsement

He added, “Students are not rushed and are given all they need to be successful. We were not given a couple classes and sent to DMV for failure. We practice then have to test out with the instructor prior to DMV.”

Right now, Jeremy is looking into a career with one of the employers that has hired many of our military graduates out of the state. “From my experience and seeing other schools,” he said last, “I wouldn’t suggest anyone but CCS.”

Filed Under: Bus Driver Career, Military Branches, Student Testimonials, Truck Driving School, US Marines Tagged With: California Career School, ccs, CDL, jeremy crowe, marines, military transition, passenger endorsement, truck driving school, trucking school, twentynine palms, USMC

Lang Vang Interview

May 15, 2012 By Chuck Emanuele Leave a Comment

Lang graduated from our Twentynine Palms location and obtained his class A license. We have asked him some questions about his training and he has allowed us to share his thoughts.

How did you come across our school?
“My wife went to this school and along with a couple of my Marines [...] I heard nothing but great things about this school. Since I didn’t have any set plans yet for when I get out of the Marine Corps, I thought this would make a great fall back plan.”

What was one of your biggest challenges in your decision?
“Well, I’m a pretty short guy, I’m 5’1″ and these trucks are big. I wanted to learn how to drive and control a semi truck with ease.”

What stands out about your training?
“During a road training, I was driving. We came to a really tight corner. When I made the turn, I didn’t think about the fundamentals and luckily [instructor] Ward was able to guide me through it. This goes to show that the fundamentals are important and if you don’t apply them you might damage something [...]”

Did you face any difficulties or obstacles during training?
“Some obstacles that I faced was the traffic. Driving a big vehicle is pretty scary when you’re driving around other vehicles that you can barely see around you. I overcame this by keeping to what I learned and applying my fundamentals.”

How would you describe your instructor?
“Motivating, inspirational, and knowledgeable.”

Was there anything surprising or unexpected?
“The atmosphere and the teaching. This place makes makes you feel comfortable and feel like you’re a part of the family.”

What have you found the most valuable?
“This school has great teachers. People who take you under their wings and teach you everything you know and a lot of hands on with the trucks.”

Overall, what is your experience with CCS?
“This was a great experience with the school. I’m looking forward to applying what I learned here out in the real world.”

In Lang’s final interview words, “You won’t regret coming to this school.”

We are grateful for students like Lang who make up the bread and butter of who we are. Once again we want to congratulate him on his successful graduation and we wish him well in his future endeavors.

Filed Under: California Career School, Military Branches, Student Testimonials, Truck Driving School, US Marines Tagged With: California Career School, ccs, class a, commercial driver, lang vang, truck driver license, twentynine palms, USMC

YPIC Grad Kenneth Burkart Lands a Job

May 7, 2012 By Chuck Emanuele 1 Comment

Kenneth Burkart obtained both his commercial class A license and passenger endorsement from our Yuma, AZ training site and finished off our program with a new driving career. He said, “I was looking for something to get me outside and the ability to move around.”

“When deciding which school I wanted to go to, I made it a point to stop and talk with the instructor,” shared Kenneth. “[My instructor] showed me he was dedicated to his students and took their education very seriously.”

The Yuma Private Industry Council (YPIC) “is a private non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide job seeker and employer services in the Yuma County labor market.” Through the YPIC program, job seekers may receive the resources needed to help them get back on their feet into the labor market.

By going through CCS and YPIC, Kenneth’s hard work enabled him to find his career with a transportation company. We wish him luck in all of his future endeavors.

Filed Under: Bus Driver Career, California Career School, Career Programs, Student Testimonials, Truck Driving School Tagged With: California Career School, ccs, CDL, kenneth burkart, truck driving school, trucking school, ypic, yuma private industry council

Blake Townsend Talks About His Training

May 4, 2012 By Chuck Emanuele Leave a Comment

“The instructors make learning to drive an enjoyable experience,” shared 29 Palms Marine graduate Blake Townsend. His challenge, he said, was, “learn to drive a 10 speed big rig. [My instructor] taught me how to do that to the best of his ability.”

Blake went on to describe his instructors as, “Professional, informational, entertaining– [they] make learning fun.”

One of Blake’s difficulties was, “taking the tight right turn at 62 and Adobe. Plenty of practice makes that turn easy now.” Students spend the majority of their time in one of our trucks–this exposure to real city driving and the skills yard is what prepares students for their final test at the DMV. “Passing my class A driving test was my proudest moment,” Blake proclaimed. He also said, “I never would have thought I would have to parallel park a semi. But I can!”

Now that he has obtained his class A driver’s license and passenger endorsement, he told us about his plans. “I will go home to Oklahoma and drive for ******* hauling gravel and concrete.”

We congratulate Blake for his successful completion of the course and we wish him well in all of his future endeavors!

Filed Under: Bus Driver Career, California Career School, Military Branches, Truck Driving School, US Marines Tagged With: blake townsend, California Career School, ccs, CDL, marines, military transition, truck driving school, trucking school, twentynine palms, USMC

Zachary Baker Graduates from Twentynine Palms

April 26, 2012 By Chuck Emanuele Leave a Comment

Zachary Baker just graduated from our Twentynine Palms training site. At the DMV, he told us, “I was all ready to go—all my belongings in my car.” Zachary found out about us at TAP class. TAP class stands for “Transition Assistance Program” and is intended for individuals like Zach who will be leaving the Marines soon. Our trucking class was presented and he thought, “Why not go and try and better myself?” and “Well, that sounds like a good thing!”

He was nervous about his final test since he had planned to immediately take off. “I was scared, I thought I was going to fail.” However, with the teachings of his instructor, the test was no problem. “[My instructor] was always trying to teach us. He never stopped talking,” Zachary laughed.

Right now he is in Michigan waiting for his California CDL to transfer over. He has been applying for jobs and is about to begin working with the CCS placement department to see what else is out there.

Once again, we want to congratulate Zachary for his successful completion of the course and we hope to work together with him to find just the right job that he’s looking for!

Filed Under: California Career School, Student Testimonials, Truck Driving School, US Marines Tagged With: California Career School, ccs, CDL, marines, military transition, truck driving school, trucking school, twentynine palms, USMC, zachary baker

Brian Expands His Business After Obtaining CDL

April 23, 2012 By Chuck Emanuele Leave a Comment

Congratulations to Mr. Brian Ellis for graduating recently! “My training’s purpose,” he said when he first visited, “was to expand my business [...]. Through the great teaching of my instructor, I finished my training in half of the time [enabling] me to get back to Fedex and start expanding right away!”

“The first time I went out on the street, [I] was very nervous but through the great teaching and confidence [that] my teacher had in me, I overcame it all and was successful. [...] Just wanted to learn as much as I could.”

Brian’s plans now are “to expand my [ground business] into line haul side of the business. Also to support my fleet of package trucks with my tractor.”

We asked him what he wanted to share with any prospective students that wanted to get their CDL at California Career School. Brian replied, “Training is exceptional– [you are] confident when you go to the DMV and [you get] a great start in an ever growing field. Great experience I will never forget!”

Once again, congratulations Brian and we wish you well in your endeavors and for the continuing growth of your driving business!

Filed Under: California Career School, Career Programs, Student Testimonials, Truck Driving School Tagged With: brian ellis, California Career School, ccs, CDL, truck driving school, trucking school

Miramar Student Passes on First CDL Test

April 12, 2012 By Chuck Emanuele Leave a Comment

Michael Baca recently graduated from our training site down in Miramar by the nearby military base. With a hectic schedule and emergencies coming up here and there, Michael endured and made it to class.
He told us, “No issues, CCS worked with my schedule. It’s very obvious CCS is tailored to active duty military.”

“[I] did research before signing up and found CCS to have nothing but good feedback. At the DMV it was obvious how much more professional and the level of student training was than the rest.” Students get prepared to pass at the DMV by learning exactly what’s on the test. “During DMV testing,” Michael said, his standout moment was, “watching students from other schools and how unprepared they were.” Michael passed the California commercial driver’s test on his first try.

We asked him what he found the most valuable. His reply: “Staff! […] [I] wouldn’t think twice about referring a friend.”

At the moment, Michael is busy planning his next step. With a couple months left in the military, he has time to work with the CCS job placement department to see about getting a job lined up for his civilian life.
Once again, congratulations to Michael for his successful graduation and we wish him well in his future endeavors!

Filed Under: California Career School, Career Programs, Military Branches, Student Testimonials, Truck Driving School, US Marines Tagged With: California Career School, ccs, marines, michael baca, military transition, miramar, truck driving school, trucking school, USMC

Abram Hernandez Earns New Skill

April 9, 2012 By Chuck Emanuele Leave a Comment

“My… only obstacle was that I had never driven stick before but thanks to the instructors I was able to pick up fast,” said Pendleton graduate Abram Hernandez. “Being able to downshift… smoothly!! That was probably my biggest thing that I was having trouble with. [...] I would always dump the clutch and stall out on hills, but I got the hang of it when I understood the way the truck would pull when I released slowly.”

With the help of his instructors, Abram overcame what incoming students find to be a challenge with the course, especially since the majority of American drivers today do not have experience with manual transmission, an item key to every truck driver’s skill set.

“You’re able to take someone like me, a person with no experience driving manual or big vehicles and give us the basic skills to master at our own pace and still push us to strive faster and farther than we thought we could go.”

Abram further shared with us, “[This] school will teach you everything you need to know and not set you up for failure. [...] It is a great school with great instructors and the people you meet here are from so many sides of the spectrum– it makes every day interesting.”

Right now, Abram will be returning to his home state, Texas in pursuit of a job working in the oil industry. He is working closely with our placement department so that he can utilize his training to its fullest. We wish Abram good luck in his future endeavors and, once again, congratulations on his successful graduation!

Filed Under: California Career School, Career Programs, Truck Driving School, US Marines Tagged With: abram hernandez, California Career School, ccs, marines, military transition, pendleton, truck driving school, trucking school, USMC

Juan Carlos Flores Hits the Ground Running with New Job

April 2, 2012 By Chuck Emanuele Leave a Comment

“The amount of practice and time on the trucks I think is what made the difference,” said Juan Carlos Flores, recent graduate from our commercial truck program. “It seemed like something that could be obtained easily and stress free and was a good safety net to have as an option. Also the fact that they help you with job placement should I decide to make this my new career.”

At California Career School, our commercial driver’s programs are geared towards preparing students for what employers are looking for. Many employers look for applicants with a specific number of training hours and will not take graduates from programs that are too short on training time.

“As I was going through the training,” described Juan, “it hit me that this was going to be actually a lot more obtainable than I thought [...]. The instructors made sure everything was clear and simple to understand.”"

“For me it was more of an opportunity,” Juan told us, “Something extra to have that would make me more competitive in the civilian job market.”

In the end, Juan’s completion of the program led to a job. “I plan to return home and get a well paying job and thanks to CCS I can do that. They helped me get a good paying job at *****.”

Congratulations to Juan for his success in class and for landing a job immediately afterwards! We wish him well in all of his future endeavors.

Filed Under: California Career School, Career Programs, Student Testimonials, Truck Driving School, US Marines

Tyrone Lands Job With Defense Contractor

March 26, 2012 By Chuck Emanuele Leave a Comment

One of our trucking graduates recently sent us a greeting and he let us know that it would be fine to share with everyone.

“Hello Geoff:

I Thank God for having attended California Career School. I have not been to every driving school in the country, but I can tell you that California Career School is the best in the state of California and has to be at least within the top three driving schools across the nation. California Career School students are distinguished between the others. The instructors are knowledgeable, and the skills learned at California Career School are precise and will guide you to successful career as a commercial driver. California Career School helped me find the best driving job in the High Desert with [a US defense contractor].

Tyrone”

Tyrone sent us a few pictures below!

We want to thank Tyrone for his kind words and we wish him well in endeavors.

Filed Under: California Career School, Truck Driving School Tagged With: California Career School, ccs, defense contractor, military transition, truck driving school, trucking school, tyrone henriquez