How to become a truck driver without busting your budget in Lake Milton
TDDS Technical Institute in Lake Milton invited folks to an open house to introduce them to jobs that are in demand as like diesel technicians or truck drivers.
LAKE MILTON, Ohio - TDDS Technical Institute in Lake Milton invited folks to an open house to introduce them to jobs that are in demand as like diesel technicians or truck drivers.
The diesel technician program runs around 50 weeks, and the tuition is approximately $20,000. The truck driving program costs around $9,000.
There is also a weekend and weekday program for the truck driving program.
"There are federal student loans, Pell Grants, things of that nature. There are local government retraining agencies that help people pay for their training. Some companies will reimburse candidates they hire and pay off their student loan or tuition," said CEO of TDDS Rick Rathbun, Jr.
Six companies were present to talk with people interested in training and jobs in the trucking industry.
A driver turned recruiter David Derr said he went to the institute in 1995 and has been a truck driver ever since.
"I have my one son who already went to school and drives with us now. I have another son getting ready to start school and drive with us as well, and I referred some other family members of drivers to this school as well. It's a great school. Most of the drivers who come out of here and the diesel techs are phenomenal. They come out of here and become successful in the industry," said Derr.
His son Brandon Derr said, "The benefits and they pay are really good. Most people shy away because they don't want to be away from home, but our home time is great. I'm home every weekend and two days a week. Regional drivers may not get to see their families as often. It's not difficult. It's all about our willingness to work. I haul a flatbed, so it's a little more work, but it is exercise."
"There is gender equality in this business. Women get paid as much as men, and they make really good money doing it. Our students come out making anywhere from $45,000 to $65,000 a year. The same with diesel technicians, they make anywhere from $38,000 to $44,000 their first year. Then it's all up from there," said Rathbun.
If you weren't able to make it out, you can still apply online at www.tdds.edu.
Students do have pre-employment drug testing.
TDDS has courses every two, four, and five weeks, depending on what program the person qualifies to go into.
The next diesel technician program starts on June 24, 2019.
