Pre-hired Before Completing

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Tremayne Dale is a recent graduate of CCS who was able to land a job at Integrated Production Services (IPS) prior to even completing his training. He took a moment to share his experience at CCS with us.  

Tremayne relayed he chose to train at California Career School because of the, “Passing rate at DMV, job placement, and overall structure of the school. Attention to detail and team concept above any school. Instructions were laid out perfectly.”

“Confidence and trust the instructors have in their students,” he shared, was what stood out to him the most during his training. On his instructor’s teaching styles, he denotes they were, “Knowledgeable, passionate, and consistent.”

Tremayne details that what he was most surprised about is the placement assistance that was offered to him. He says, “…I was just expecting to get my CDL not the assistance for job placement, which was a great added bonus!” Our placement coordinator worked closely with Tremayne to help him attain a position at IPS and go to work after completing the program.

We would like to congratulate Tremayne on getting his CDL and for getting a position at IPS. We wish him nothing but the best for the future!

Gabby Stokes Earns Bus License

We just had a moment to catch up with Michel’la Gabby Stokes, our recent bus graduate, as she shared her thoughts about her training. She wrote, “CCS had the best ratings and reviews when I was doing research on what school to go to. I am so happy to say that the reviews were wrong… That school was better than what they said =)”

Gabby talked about the hurdles she pushed through. “The one issue I had is the school was a little far and gas was crazy but now that I’ve graduated, it was more than worth it. My training is already doing what I wanted it to which is to open up multiple new opportunities to support myself well into the future. [...] When Adam taught me how to parallel park and I actually did it right was one of my happiest moments at this school.” She also added, “It was hard at first to see out of the bus mirrors and tell what I was looking at but Donnavin told me to stick with it and not let it discourage me and that I would get used to it and he was right.”

“I was surprised how soon we got to hop in and drive the buses. [...] This school truly is training us students for success in their areas of interest. [...] CCS is absolutely worth the time to consider if you’re looking to further your education.”

We asked Gabby what she is up to now. She replied, “I am now looking for a job with confidence and have already been offered one!”

She last said that, “Classes are small, the instructors are knowledgeable, and it’s affordable!”

Once again, we want to congratulate Gabby for completing her bus driving license with us and we appreciated her enthusiasm all the way through. We love to have great students like her! We wish her well in all of her future endeavors.

Graduates Show Off Their New Vehicles

Throughout the years, CCS graduates have sent us tons of photos and dropped by our schools just to show the vehicles they worked so hard to drive. All of these students passed their CDL test, found work, and now have the new wheels to show for it. We’ve filled our Facebook page with as many as we can and it looks like more and more students will be dropping by in the near future.

From firefighters, coil tube operators in the oil industry, a pizza business owner operator, motor coach drivers, to fuel transporters and even more in between, our graduates completed the training that ultimately landed them these jobs.

Click here to see more graduates and like our Facebook page!

Student Interview with Jesus Cardenas

We’d like to share a short interview we had with commercial truck and bus graduate Jesus Cardenas. Check out what he has to say about his experience here at CCS!

Why did you choose CCS?
“[Y]ou get more out of the program than any other school I knew of out there.”

What was your biggest challenge?
“I was about to get out of the military in a few months! I got everything in time thanks to my instructor.”

Describe a moment that stands out about your training.
“The drive test at the DMV!”

How would you describe your instructor’s teaching style and approach?
“Aggressive in a good way– right techniques– being there with you at all times.”

Was there anything during your experience that was surprising or unexpected?
“Yeah! Getting job placement.”

What is it that we do as a school that you’ve found to be the most valuable?
“Giving opportunities to its students for future employment.”

What is your overall opinion of your experience with CCS?
“It was very good. I really appreciate what CCS does for its military as well as civilian students.”

What are your plans now that you have completed your training?
“Getting started with IPS!”

Is there anything else that you would like to share with someone who is thinking of getting trained at CCS?
“Yes. They will get the best training out there! They will notice when they go to the DMV.”

We’d like to again give a big congratulations to Jesus for successfully getting his class A and passenger endorsement. Like he mentioned, Jesus secured a job in the oil industry using his new license in Houston, TX. We wish him well in all of his future endeavors!

Michael Waldron III Gets CDL and Passenger Endorsement

Michael Waldron III graduated from our commercial truck driving course and received his CDL and passenger endorsement. He shared a few things with us about how his training went.

He talked to us about the moments that stood out for him. “Gotta be the skills course,” he said. “They walked me around it, showed me with the toy truck, three times around I did my test and passed before I went to the DMV.” Before taking the final exam at the DMV CDL office, CCS students must pass with us. Students will not be sent to the DMV until they are ready.

What Michael found difficult was what he calls “5 point boredom,” or the 5 point pre-trip. “To overcome it, do it a couple times, walk around, sit [...], go back and repeat,” he shared, was his biggest challenge. To safely drive trucks, drivers must regularly perform pre-trip inspections to the highest standards. These inspections are long and must be demonstrated and recited verbatim to DMV examiners.

For Michael, the most valuable part of training was the learning pace and that, “when [you] need help, [instructors] are right there.” His overall opinion of CCS was one with pleased, spirited language that we cannot share here! He leaves us with this: “it’s an awesome school with awesome instructors with real world trucks, trailers, and practice routes. It’s even accredited [...] and there’s multiple trucking companies that mainly hire CCS grads.”

Once again, congratulations to Michael for getting his commercial class A license complete with a passenger endorsement. He plans to also pursue welding training while working out in West Virginia. Once again, we wish him well in all of his future endeavors!

Video: Graduates Talk About Their Training

Graduates talk about finally completing their commercial truck driver training! Congratulations to Vincent Popovich, Chris Lopez, and Raul Velazquez!

Ruben Duran: Determined to Succeed

“I chose CCS because I wanted to have a back up plan. I’ve always wanted a challenge. So being not able to drive stick, I was determined. A lot of great reviews from previous students made CCS stand out,” wrote new truck graduate Ruben Duran. “I didn’t have a plan when I was getting out [of the Marines]. But since attending here in CCS, my job opportunities and doors opened up. Now I feel more comfortable getting out and less stressed.”

“The instructors are real dedicated to the students’ success,” said Ruben. “And from going to the DMV twice, I have seen that no other school stands out like CCS. Not the way the instructor talks to the students or [anything else].” He joked that his instructors were, “Straight-headed, deliberate, and woooaaah (Ward).”

“At first I did [have obstacles],” Ruben shared, “I’ve learned that listening to the instructors and keeping myself calm made a difference in my performance.”

“With a place like this here in 29, the instructors make it enjoyable here. [...] Overall opinion here in CCS is nothing but awesome. I’m proud I’ve made this decision on attending CCS. [...] Great instructors and staff. CCS is there to help you out. You will see the difference with other schools.”

Congratulations again to Ruben for his successful completion of his class A license! He is transferring over from Twentynine Palms to our Anaheim location and will be adding his passenger endorsement as well. We’re looking forward to it!

Naval Man Travis Mooney Gets Full Commercial License

“I chose CCS because they are military friendly and have staff that understand how the GI bill works and are approved for the new post 911 GI bill,” said Travis Mooney, one of our new graduates from the commercial truck program. Travis, former Navy sailor, obtained both his class A and passenger endorsement on his first try.

He shared more with us, “I wanted to change my career after my time in the Navy. I enjoy travel and like driving so this is a good combination of both.” He said that his biggest accomplishment was, “getting my license and knowing that I was prepared enough to go out on my own and drive safely and with confidence.” CCS instructor supervisor, Donnavin Francois, indicated that Travis was a natural and that he was way ahead of pace.

At this time, he intends to seek additional licensing to drive cranes and is working with our placement department to update his military resume for the civilian world. Travis will now be coupling this with his Naval equipment tech experience and his new commercial driver’s license!

Once again, we want to congratulate Travis for completing the course quickly and successfully and for being an excellent student and driver. We wish him well in his future endeavors!

CCS on the Yuma KSWT News

Yuma Instructor Donald Jacobs sits down with KSWT News to talk about the trucking industry and what CCS has to offer.

Way to go Don! Thanks to YPIC for helping us get on with KSWT 13 Desert News Now.

Jeremy Crowe Shares His Training Experience

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.”