Juan Carlos Flores Hits the Ground Running with New Job

“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.

Tyrone Lands Job With Defense Contractor

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

Trucking Graduate’s Success

Joseph Jones passed his CDL with flying colors and got his bus license as well! Here, he talks about his change in confidence and the opportunities that opened for him after California Career School.

“Dear Mr. Emanuele,

On March 18th I completed a driving course with your school under the supervision of [...] and [...]. I am happy to say that I was successful in completing my class A driving test as well as my Bus certification.

Joseph’s letter to CCS

When I began this program in January, I wasn’t confident that I’d pass the driving test, let alone the skills test and pre-trip. It’s because of the positive reinforcement and excellent teaching skills of [...] and [...] that I was successful on my first attempt in each of these categories.

I am now positioned for career growth with my current employer and have the added confidence of knowing I can drive anything (except a motorcycle) if I am forced to one day search for a new job.

Thanks to everyone at your school for this opportunity, but mostly thanks to [...] and [...] for seeing me through the process every step of the way. You have two wonderful assets on your team. Kudos to them both!

Sincerely,

Joseph S. Jones
Truck Driver”

Carlos Casarez Plans His New Career

Carlos Casarez graduated with his class A license from our Twentynine Palms training location. “CCS had an outstanding reputation on base for being better than the competition– which is why I chose it,” he told us.

“I’m getting out of the Marine Corps active duty, and was looking for a solid back up plan for the future but with as many opportunities as I found out a driver with a CDL has, it slowly became my primary plan.”

When Carlos described his training, he shared, “A light bulb moment for [me] has to have been each time I drove because [instructor] Ward always complemented me on my improvements which I believe helped out the most [...] Ward always helped me each step of the way, which led me to not have any difficulties.”

“CCS works around our schedule, which as a Marine is very helpful because each day is very different.” For active duty military, CCS offers a flexible training schedule which includes nights and weekends in order to help prioritize military duties.

“Don’t hesitate, CCS is a very great school who is flexible with your schedule,” Carlos last told us.

Once again, we would like to congratulate Carlos on his successful completion of the course and we wish him well in his future endeavors.

Contact our representatives today at (800) 499-6585 to get more information about our commercial driver course!

Congratulations to John Skaggs!

John Skaggs recently obtained both his commercial truck driver license and passenger endorsement. “Marines [...] in my unit went through the course and both enjoyed the environment and curriculum,” said John. “The job placement option is a definite resource that attracted me to the program, whether I utilize it in the near future or later on.”

“The opportunity, with any vocational school, is the present state of the economy and the present labor needs for any skilled trade,” John shared about his decision to go to California Career School. At this time, over-the-road commercial truck driver positions are numerous with openings constant. Our placement department works with prospective students, current students, and graduates to assist them in their search for jobs across the US. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports, “The number of wage and salary jobs in the truck transportation and warehousing industry is expected to grow 11 percent from 2008 through 2018.”

“For me, there was no difficulty attending any portions of the course, but certainly the flexible hours is great [...] is very important to future students, especially active duty military,” John went on. Flexible training hours at our contract locations are set up for our active duty military students to help keep their military duties as the number one priority. “Drive lessons and tips according to the environment (rain, wind, traffic), a real-world driving area to develop safe skills. [...] There wasn’t a ‘classroom’ atmosphere. Every part of the training was a ‘hands-on’ approach.”

Prospective students are encouraged to visit and watch our training in action in order to help them in their decision about what school to go to. John wanted to share one last item to these students: “Really glad I took the course with CCS. [...] By seeing the instructors and students in action, a potential student may have a clearer picture of the school’s qualities.”

Again we would like to congratulate John for his successful completion of the course and we wish him luck in his future endeavors.

Graduate Benefits from Instructor’s Teaching Methods

Marine John Wise recently acquired his class A and passenger endorsement at our Oceanside training location just minutes outside of Camp Pendleton. He had a few things to share about his learning experiences with our instructors over the duration of his training. John graduated from class in just over a month!

John wanted to thank both of his instructors, Jose Ballesteros and Joseph Evins. “They’re all about the student learning.” He described Joseph as “smooth” and “breaks it down step by step.” Jose, on the other hand, is someone he felt was, “fact-based, fast-paced” and geared towards “fast learners.” To John, it was important to receive constructive criticism and this is something that Jose did not hesitate to provide. “Jose’s a trip,” he laughed. “They make a good team.”

“Right now,” he told us, “I’m still active duty. [...] I’m waiting for a transportation company in New York.” He had already sent in his resume and is hoping for the good news to come up soon.

“I would definitely recommend the school,” John said, citing our accreditation and flexibility with our Military students. “I enjoyed [the class]– it was fun to me. If I could do it all day, I would.”

Once again, congratulations to John for completing the course successfully and quickly. We wish him luck in his endeavors in New York!

Hugo Barron Builds His Career

Our graduate Hugo Barron got his truck and bus driver licenses and began working in a matter of a few months!

Weeks ago, he told our placement coordinator Marcelle Gerard, “I’ve decided to take ***** up on his offer. Training starts Nov. 28th. I’d like to thank you guys for being the stepping stone between my military service and my next career move.”

For Hugo, Marcelle wanted to share, “It is not often that someone’s first interaction with a company is in person and not through an online application. Upon first being introduced to this hiring company, Hugo met the recruiting manager who would be one of the deciding factors affecting his offer of employment.” This was at a presentation made just for our students and graduates.

“It’s personal right from the beginning,” Marcelle continued. “This company gets the feel for you in person as opposed to just looking at a resume. We are appreciative of the visits that they make to provide presentations and chances for meeting our students. Without this opportunity, our students succeed with less limitations for their future. I am so happy that Hugo has found a home with this company and that we were able to support him along his own path to success!”

She touched base with him shortly after and Hugo replied, “Everything is going great! I’m in my 2nd week of training. It’s almost unreal how well they value their workers. Met the company president. [...] The compensation for our hard work is generous and benefits are excellent. It’s hard work but worth every bit of it. The promotions are there all it takes is time and hard work. I have full intentions on making this a career. “

Michael Davies: “Freedom to Be My Own Boss”

Update 02/17/12: Michael is going to begin working this Monday! Congratulations!

He has obtained his commercial class A license and passenger endorsement out in our Oceanside contract training site.

For Michael, independence is very important. “I left the Navy in Sept. 2010. The economy is terrible. I tried conventional college and found that it was not for me. CCS offered me something that college would not: freedom to be my own boss.”

CCS placement coordinator Marcelle Gerard has been working with Michael to help him land a job. “He’s going over the road,” she talked about his plans. Marcelle describes Michael as “very energetic” and “passionate.” He is “very supportive of the other students” and is always exchanging pictures with those that are currently over the road. At the moment, Marcelle said, companies “***** and ***** are right on top of him. He definitely has prospects, they’re looking at him.”

Once again we congratulate Michael on his successful completion and we wish him luck in all of his endeavors!

Dedicated Marine Graduates with Truck and Bus Licenses

Matthew Cooper from Twentynine Palms completed both his commercial truck and bus driver training very recently, graduating quickly due to his dedication and enthusiasm with learning.

“The moment that stands out the most is when I started driving a semi on the road and realized how big a job truck drivers really have. As a result of that I have a new respect for truck drivers, and will never cut them off or pull out in front of them again,” he explained.

“I’m going to be honest,” Matt told us, “Before taking classes to get out of the Marines, I had never heard of CCS. An instructor came to the [TAP] class and gave a presentation and I thought, ‘why not?’ I figured even if I didn’t want to be a truck driver it could always be my back up plan.”

He shared more thoughts regarding his training, “Couldn’t have asked for a more dedicated instructor [...] They will continue to train you until you are a competent driver.”

“Amazing student, he picked up very quickly,” said Ward Violanti, Twentynine Palms lead instructor. “You can tell him something once and he got it… and he did. I was a little tougher on him. I didn’t hold him back.”

Now that he has graduated, Matt has a job opportunity possibly set up but also has another plan to become state police back home. Once again, we congratulate Matt for his speedy and exceptional completion of our truck and bus course and we wish him luck in all of his future endeavors!

Garrette Guidry – Mechanic & Marine

“I chose CCS because one of my Marines attended this site and highly recommended CCS. In reading and talking with [instructor] Ward I found out that there were benefits from attending CCS such as job placement and assistance to their students. Making the transition from military to civilian life a little less stressful by offering some degree of ‘being part of a family,’ kind of like being in the military.”

Many of our students are in motor transport coming out of the Marines and are looking for a good way to transition into civilian life with the skills that they have learned.

“The challenge I faced on choosing a vocational school was that I am a mechanic and a lot of the jobs I was looking at to be a mechanic had a prerequisite of ‘have to have a class A CDL’ which eased by decision to be part of California Career School.”

“I feel the most valuable asset a school can have is a knowledgeable staff and instructors, which CCS definitely has.”

Garrette plans to move back to Louisiana after his separation from the military. “[W]ith the training I have received and the assistance in job placement, I will be successful.”

Congratulations to Garrette on successfully obtaining his commercial class A license! We wish you the best!