Kilgore College goes trucking

Excel Drivers Services is about to graduate their first class at KC. (left to right) Michael White and Phil Pittman Kilgore College heard the call from local industries that need truck drivers.

KC has entered into a contract with Excel Drivers Services of Wheatridge, Colorado so students can obtain their commercial driver's license (CDL) in a short time.

The Wheatridge, CO-based company is owned by Jason Emery, according to local director Michael Holdsworth.

The course requires 160 hours of classroom and driving time. Three schedules are offered: the traditional, which is Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m.; the evening course, which is Monday through Thursday and the weekend course which lasts ten weekends.

The course includes a combination of classroom and seat time. "We will drive in congestion, rural and highway traffic with the emphasis being on safety," said Holdsworth.

Holdsworth said there are more 400,000 jobs available in the trucking industry nationwide with numerous openings in the Kilgore and surrounding East Texas area.

"KC is even working on providing placement services for graduates," said Holdsworth.

Excel offers one instructor for every three students and the course takes the student all the way through final testing with DPS. "The student will utilize our trucks to take their test so they will be familiar with the type of equipment they are testing with," said Holdsworth.

Each student is required to get a permit and a physical before starting the course. "We also counsel on how this job is a life-changing position and what to expect when entering into this industry," he said.

The first session is coming to an end with the next session to begin May 30. An evening course begins June 19, a day course on June 26 and a weekend course on June 24. Holdswoth said the industry is

not just for men anymore. Women make excellent drivers and the industry is wide open for women, he said. "Another thing that is becoming popular is team driving, with a lot of husband and wife teams."

Holdsworth said the industry still presents physical challenges but that depends on the type of companies the driver deals with. "Some companies are just 'hook up and go' and others are a little more challenging," said Holdsworth.

He said Excel is trying to establish what he calls a grassroots effort in the Kilgore area, showing companies how to fill seats and not have equipment just sitting.

"The course costs $3,950 and - as of this time - there is still no financial aid, but some companies are sponsoring drivers and letting them pay back the tuition over time," said Holdsworth.

Gene Leshe Jr., Excel instructor and a driver for 22 years, said the industry has changed over the last ten years with an increasing emphasis on safety.

"I want to make sure my students know as much as they can before getting behind the wheel of an 80,000 pound vehicle that does not stop on a dime," said Leshe. "Passing that written test is probably the hardest part of the course, but I will be with the student all the way through."

Michael White, a student in the first class and nearing graduation, said he already has a job lined up at Rig Runners here. Phil Pittman, the other member of the class, said he is starting a second career and hopes to find a job soon after he graduates next week.

Holdsworth said the class represents "a great union" between Excel and Kilgore College. The course is the only accredited truck driving program in this area, he said.

Persons interested in enrolling in the course should contact the Kilgore College Workforce Education department.