Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: Okay, let's think about what really keeps our economy moving. I mean, literally moving trucks. Exactly. Trucks and the skilled people driving them.
There's this huge demand, Right, for qualified truck drivers.
[00:00:14] Speaker B: Huge. It's a constant need.
[00:00:15] Speaker A: So we took a deep dive into Excellent Trucking's website. We wanted to see how their training programs are, you know, trying to meet this critical need. Yeah.
[00:00:23] Speaker B: What are they actually doing about it?
[00:00:24] Speaker A: Right. So our mission here is basically to understand their approach, see what they're offering and maybe what makes them stand out a bit.
[00:00:32] Speaker B: Absolutely. And it's like you said, it's not just about getting a license anymore. It's about creating really competent, safe drivers and excellent trucking. They seem to position themselves as a key player in doing just that.
[00:00:46] Speaker A: Okay, so let's unpack Excellente itself first.
The first thing that jumped out at me was their federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration approval. Fmcsa. Why is that such a big deal?
[00:00:57] Speaker B: Well, that FMCSA stamp, it's crucial. It basically signals that their training isn't just, you know, okay, it meets the tough federal standards needed for commercial driver training.
[00:01:07] Speaker A: So it's a quality benchmark.
[00:01:09] Speaker B: Exactly. A benchmark ensures their grads are, you know, recognized everywhere across state lines. Plus, they're also a certified minority woman owned business.
[00:01:19] Speaker A: Oh, interesting. Adds another layer.
[00:01:21] Speaker B: Yeah. And their mission statement is pretty direct, training highly qualified drivers. They even have this bold claim. Excellent students always excel.
[00:01:31] Speaker A: Huh. Okay. Confidence isn't lacking there. So let's look at the actual training. Class A CDL training. That's for the big rigs, Right? The combination vehicles. Yep.
[00:01:39] Speaker B: The tractor trailers you see everywhere, that's central to what they do.
[00:01:42] Speaker A: But they're also involved in some. Well, they seem like really interesting specialized programs. Can you tell us about that safe driver apprenticeship pilot program? The sdap?
[00:01:51] Speaker B: Oh, yeah, the sdap. So exelante is a partner in this. It's an FMCSA program. Runs for three years.
[00:01:57] Speaker A: Three years. Okay.
[00:01:58] Speaker B: And what's really noteworthy, I think, is it opens up interstate trucking careers specifically for 18 to 20 year olds.
[00:02:04] Speaker A: That age group usually can't drive interstate.
[00:02:06] Speaker B: Right, exactly. So this program uses a structured apprenticeship model to get them experience. It's pretty forward thinking, tapping into a younger potential workforce.
[00:02:16] Speaker A: Definitely sounds innovative. And then there's another one that caught my eye. The apprenticeship reentry program.
[00:02:21] Speaker B: Right.
[00:02:22] Speaker A: This one's a national and state recognized CDL apprenticeship, but it's specifically for people who were formerly incarcerated.
[00:02:29] Speaker B: Yes. And programs like this, they're incredibly important. They offer a really vital path Back to stable, meaningful work for people reentering.
[00:02:38] Speaker A: Society gives them a real shot.
[00:02:40] Speaker B: A real shot, exactly. It's more than just the driving skills. It's a structured way back into the workforce. It can have huge benefits, you know, reducing recidivism, boosting the economy.
[00:02:50] Speaker A: And excellent actually says it offers a solid path for strong career options in trucking.
[00:02:55] Speaker B: Which sounds about right.
[00:02:56] Speaker A: It also feels like they go beyond just teaching you how to drive the truck. They mention career development, things like mentorship, job shadowing.
[00:03:04] Speaker B: Yeah, and that's key, isn't it? It's not just about passing the test. That kind of broader support, the mentorship, seeing it done in the real world through shadowing, that's invaluable for long term success. Plus they mentioned advanced skill building suggests ongoing development. Exactly. And offering pre apprenticeship support and even job placement help. It really shows, I think, a dedication to seeing their students actually launch careers, not just get a certificate.
[00:03:32] Speaker A: Okay, what about the specific courses listed? I saw entry level driver training, eldt, both the theory and the practical behind the wheel stuff for class A. Yep.
[00:03:41] Speaker B: Standard ELDT class A. They also list ELDT class B Theory.
[00:03:45] Speaker A: Class B is more or less like straight trucks, buses generally.
[00:03:48] Speaker B: Yeah. Single unit vehicles over a certain weight. And they offer a HAZMAT endorsement course too.
[00:03:53] Speaker A: Hazmat? What does that involve? Why is that important?
[00:03:56] Speaker B: Well, the HAZMAT endorsement lets drivers transport hazardous materials. Obviously it needs extra training, background checks. It's a big responsibility.
[00:04:05] Speaker A: So it opens up more specialized, maybe higher paying jobs?
[00:04:09] Speaker B: Potentially, yes. Definitely expands career options. And interestingly, they also list an intro to dispatching course.
[00:04:16] Speaker A: Dispatching? So like the logistics side?
[00:04:19] Speaker B: Yeah, a glimpse into how the whole operation works behind the scenes. And they even mention trucking, business consulting and corporate training.
[00:04:26] Speaker A: So they're not just for new drivers, but also for maybe existing companies or people starting their own thing.
[00:04:32] Speaker B: Seems like it positioned themselves as a broader resource for the industry.
[00:04:36] Speaker A: Which brings us to what they call the excellent difference. They talk about creating a movement of training highly qualified drivers.
What do you think actually is their difference based on all this?
[00:04:48] Speaker B: Well, I think it comes down to a few things they emphasize like having expert instructors who've actually been truckers. You know, real world experience that makes sense.
[00:04:56] Speaker A: Not just textbook teachers.
[00:04:57] Speaker B: Right. And they talk about a supportive learning atmosphere, combining that practical know how with a good environment that can definitely boost the quality of drivers they turn out.
[00:05:07] Speaker A: So it's about going beyond just the minimum requirements?
[00:05:10] Speaker B: I think so. Striving for that excellence in their name, maybe. And being a resource not just for the drivers, but for the businesses too.
[00:05:17] Speaker A: Okay, so let's sort of pull this together. Excellent Trucking seems to be tackling that high demand for truck drivers with a pretty comprehensive strategy.
[00:05:26] Speaker B: Yeah, it definitely looks that way.
[00:05:27] Speaker A: It's not just the basic CDL training, but these targeted programs too, like SDAP for the younger crowd, the reentry program.
[00:05:35] Speaker B: Which are quite specific niches.
[00:05:37] Speaker A: Right. And all while emphasizing that wider career support and aiming for, well, high standards.
[00:05:44] Speaker B: Exactly. It feels like they're looking at the bigger picture. Not just filling truck seats today, but building a sustainable, skilled workforce for the whole transportation sector long term.
[00:05:54] Speaker A: Which does lead us to a final thought, maybe for you listening, given how absolutely essential logistics and trucking are to. Well, everything in our daily lives can't function without it. Right. So what are the bigger societal implications when you have innovative driver training programs like these ones Excellente Trucking is offering? How does that ripple outwards?
[00:06:16] Speaker B: Yeah, that's definitely something to chew on.
