Columbus Technical College’s CDL program shifts into gear, 33 students certified

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)— During May of 2023, Columbus Technical College (CTC) broke ground on their new Commercial Truck Driving Range. In October, applications went live. In March of this year, classes officially began.

“It could be a life changing job,” CTC Vice President of Academic Affairs, David Kuipers said. “Truck driving careers can pay over $50,000 a year. Sometimes as much as six figures, depending on how much you want to put into it.”

The four-to-eight-week program can cost as little as $32 for students that are eligible for the Georgia HOPE Scholarship. The short program offering a lifelong career is what led Micah Warner to apply.

“I decided, ‘you know what, I just need to go get in the big truck. I need to find out how I can do that and make that happen,'” Warner shared. “That’s what’s really going to benefit me and my family in the end when it comes to the financial situation.”

Nautilus Hiley is at her halfway point earning her certificate, she says she had been waiting for the CDL program to open at CTC.

“Going through a technical college versus going to a CDL school, college is better,” Hiley said. “You get more opportunities when you go to a college for your CDL certificate versus a CDL school that wants you to have obligations to a trucking company. So, this was the way better option.”

Instructor Robert Cook joined CTC to teach this program, he has been driving for 42 years. He says while there are national truck-driving opportunities, there are also job vacancies right here in Columbus.

“Linemen, it’s a wonderful job, but all of them have to have CDLs. All the water works departments have to have CDLs. All your garbage trucks,” Cook shared. “And some of those jobs are great, they’re local. They let you be a family man or a family lady, whichever it might be, and still have a home life.”

Since the class began in March, 33 students have graduated with their Class-A commercial truck driving license. 18 more students are expected to graduate this fall.

Previous Reports

Oct. 16, 2023: New Columbus CDL program prepares to shift into gear | WRBL

May 1, 2023: CTC breaks ground on new CDL training facility | WRBL

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.