Santa Rosa students drive towards success with STC CDL program

The Santa Rosa ISD Texas Afterschool Centers for Education (ACE) program, in collaboration with South Texas College Continuing Education and Workforce Development, recently offered a Commercial Driver License (CDL) Class A certification program to Santa Rosa High School students amidst growing demand.

Hitting the road in the right direction of his career path, 18-year-old Santa Rosa High School graduate Antonio Saldana Jr. described the opportunity as a perfect stepping stone toward his future career.

“I had to seize the opportunity because I knew it would help me reach my goals of becoming a lineman one day. I am excited to be the first in my family to receive this type of license,” Saldana said. “I didn’t want to take a break after graduating. After learning that the program would be no-cost to me, I knew I needed to continue my education since it would make a tremendous impact on my future.”

STC CDL instructor Arturo Renteria emphasized the importance of collaborating with young professionals like the Santa Rosa High School students to provide opportunities, like the CDL program, to meet industry demands while simultaneously increasing the students’ chances for employment.

“We were eager to make this experience possible for these students, so we are working diligently to get them ready for their Department of Public Safety CDL test,” Renteria explained. “There is a growing demand for CDL license holders because many companies are in need of drivers. Through this collaboration we are able to make these students extremely marketable and ready for the workforce.”

The demand for CDL drivers in all states is at an all-time high. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job market for truck drivers is growing rapidly, with a projected 160,600 new trucking jobs expected to be added by 2029.

Vicky Quintanilla, Santa Rosa High School ACE coordinator, was delighted to witness the excellence of the partnership and its impact for the students.

“Partnering with STC to pilot our trade skills program was essential to provide career-based opportunities for Santa Rosa Texas ACE students in support of our mission. Introducing the high-demand CDL program will open doors to college and career opportunities,” Quintanilla said. “STC’s support through small group instruction, comprehensive communication and location accommodations has been invaluable to preparing these students for the workforce.”

STC’s Commercial Truck Driving course is a 4-week, 160-hour course where students attend 40 hours of classroom training to master the basics and prepare for the permit test.

Once students have the permit, they begin their 120 hours of hands-on training with the tractor trailers. Students spend time conducting maneuvers and logging driving hours on the public roads developing the skills established by the Texas Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Eager to get behind the wheel, Santa Rosa graduate Nelson Gomez said that with the skills he’s gained through the program, he is confident he’ll secure a job soon, proud that his decisions are steering him toward success.

“Coming into the program I was ready to learn everything I’ll need to obtain my permit,” Gomez shared. “Along with learning different driving maneuvers, I’ve also learned how to dial in and concentrate in a whole new way. Through this experience, I’m not only making my family proud, but I am also proud to be challenging myself in an effort to be successful in the near future.”