Trucking school shifts to higher gear

Debbyie Brock - new instructor at KC truck driving school. Kilgore College and Excel Trucking Services earlier this year partnered to offer training for truck drivers. And now the partnership is growing.

Debbyie Brock, from Gilmer has been hired by Excel as a new instructor for the commercial driver's license (CDL) program.

Brock said she first received her CDL in 1995 from the United States Truck Driving School out of Rialto, CA. "I have worked all types of trucks, pulling loads through the mountains and worked for East Texas Crude out of Arp," said Brock.

Brock said the job with Excel is a great opportunity for her.

"Excel has treated me like a member of the team since the first day," said Brock. "I started on Sept. 11 and I am still in training."

Brock said even though she has all of her CDL endorsements she still had to take a written and driving test with Excel and a physical exam. "Truck driving is just as much, if not more, mental as physical," said Brock. "There is a lot to learn when a person sits behind the controls of an 18-wheeler for the first time and it can be quite intimidating."

As an instructor, Brock said, she is not there to judge people but to help them. "I want the student to be calm and concentrate on what they need to do," said Brock. "Patience and attitude is very important in this job, but not only for the instructor, also for the student."

She said she will be in training for approximately two more weeks before taking on students. "I want my students to get out of the car mode," said Brock. "There is a much bigger picture in a 18-wheeler that weighs 80,000 pounds and doesn't stop on a dime."

Brock said truck driving is a job that requires long hours and a driver must remember to act professional at all times. "What a CDL driver does in their personal car can affect their job or career," said Brock.

Brock said safety is a top priority for Excel.

"Our simulator gives drivers a chance to experience different driving scenarios for the first time without the anxiety of actually being behind the wheel of a moving 80,000-pound vehicle," said Brock. "It is a great tool."

Michael Holdsworth, director of education and development for Excel, said the integration of commercial driving simulation into existing CDL programs has helped students understand the integral parts of basic control and practical experiences of hazard awareness without the risk to self and other road users.

"Simulation prepares the drivers physically and mentally to meet the challenges of driving; state-ofthe art technology improves safety, " said Holdsworth. "Even though simulation improves safe driving habits and benefits form the immediate feedback, simulation will never replace real vehicle time, a driver must gain behind the-wheel time in a real tractor pulling a real trailer."

Holdsworth said the success of the Excel program has been because Martha Woodruff, director for Kilgore College Workforce Development, has been building a pipeline to address the local, regional, and national demands for quality commercial drivers.

"Kilgore College placement services has a number of companies

wanting qualified drivers," said Holdsworth. "Due to the increased demands, Kilgore College is providing a full service solution for the commercial driver."

Enrollment has increased because of several factors. "Good news travels fast regarding the quality of our graduates. "Kilgore has increased enrollment because local companies are using the commercial driving programs," said Holdsworth. "Halliburton is utilizing KC to help with training their new employees."

"Larry Short, who has been performing services for Excel at Halliburton is now instructing at KC, as is Fred Gibson, to meet Halliburton demands," said Holdsworth.

Gene Leshe, who was the only instructor when the program started, now splits time between CDL training and administrative duties.

"Excel is hoping for further growth by the first of next year, which could add as many as four more instructors," said Holdsworth.

Unfortunately, Holdsworth said, there is still a financial burden of tuition for students. "The successful candidate must bear the cost of the program," said Holdsworth. "Prospective students looking for a quality program must be willing to pay the tuition to enter into a new career in commercial driving."

He said KC and Excel are working on providing alternative financial solutions to help defer costs not only to students but for companies as well.