NETC expands CDL courses; weekend classes, forklift training

Northeastern Technical College's CDL program enters the fast lane expanding its program keeping up with public demand for more classes on the schedule.

For the upcoming 2023-24 academic year, NETC tripled the number of Commercial Driver's License instructors and is slated to open a 10-week weekend course to the calendar to accommodate the increased demand for the truck-driving program as well as forklift training.

"Northeastern Technical College offering weekend courses is our response from prospective students who are presently working but cannot take time off from their jobs to transition to trucking," said NETC President Dr. Kyle Wagner.

Weekend CDL training is a 10-week course with instructions on Saturdays and Sundays; NETC's 5-week CDL program holds classes Monday-Thursday.

To accommodate the demand for more classes, NETC expanded the CDL instruction team from one full-time and one part-time instructor to two full-time and three part-time instructors with classes offered on the Dillon, Cheraw and Pageland campuses, Wagner said.

Weekend courses are scheduled to begin Sept. 16 at the Cheraw campus and Dec. 9 at the Dillon Campus with the next wave in the first half of 2024.

The five-week weekday programs are scheduled to be held between Dillon and Pageland campuses with the first course starting Sept. 18.

The Cheraw campus hosts the CDL-A classes combined with forklift certification beginning Oct. 9.

CDL training begins with 50 hours of classroom instruction covering safety, truck maintenance, logbook upkeeping, and truck inspection followed by behind-the-wheel training initially in parking lots with trailer hooking, shifting, and reversing, and then onto the open road.

Trucking students can also steer CDL training into NETC's Commercial Transportation Certification, which is a 16-credit course adding on top the CDL a 3-credit course The Business of Truck Driving class offering insights to the business behind the job. The Commercial Transportation Certificate is a gateway into an Associate' Degree in General Technology – Transportation and Logistics.

Prospective trucking students must provide documentation for a Dept. Of Transportation physical, a Class A Learner's Permit and a 10-year driving record. Drug screening and background investigation are conducted prior to the start of class.

NETC is now taking applications for these upcoming classes, but space is limited and on a first come basis. For more information, interested applicants call 800.921.7399 or visit online at www.NETC.edu.

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