Houston is one of the leading port cities in the country and the transportation industry is struggling to find qualified drivers. Many are turning to the Lone Star College Transportation Institute for training that can potentially take them from a minimum-wage, dead-end job to earning approximately $35,000 in just six short weeks.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for people who are interested in having a career that offers excellent pay, good benefits and the chance to be their own boss,” said Dr. Melissa Gonzalez, LSC vice chancellor of workforce and economic development. “Many of our graduates have changed their lives and those of their families by beginning a new professional truck-driving career.”
The LSC Transportation Institute boasts a 98 percent placement rate for graduates of its Professional Truck Driver Program. Students have the opportunity to meet recruiters from over-the-road companies such as Stevens Transportation, Service Transport, Werner Enterprises, Maverick, DART Transit and US Xpress Enterprises.
One aspect of training at the institute includes training specifically for program partners like these companies. The institute recently celebrated training its 200th class for Stevens Transportation, one of the largest temperature-controlled carriers in the United States.
“In addition to these national companies who partner with us, a large number of local transport companies have also hired graduates of the LSC Transportation Institute,” said Gonzalez. “We hear from the company representatives consistently who say that our graduates have the qualities they’re looking for when filling driver positions.”
According to the American Trucking Association, more than 200,000 drivers will be needed between now to 2020 and it’s not just a young man’s career; the average age of a LSC Transportation Institute student is 36 and 12 percent are women.
To find out more about becoming a professional truck driver, visit LoneStar.edu/Professional-Truck-Driver.
Lone Star College Transportation Institute instructors like Bill Brady
can put your new career in gear in just 6 short weeks.
Lone Star College has been opening doors to a better community for more than 40 years. Founded in 1973, LSC remains steadfast in its commitment to student success and credential completion. Today, with almost 83,000 students in credit classes, and a total enrollment of more than 95,000, Lone Star College is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and one of the fastest-growing community colleges in the nation. Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., is the chancellor of LSC, which consists of six colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, LSC-Tomball and LSC-University Park, seven centers, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online.