
Tuesday, 12 May 2015
Higher education of Driving

Con-way Freight Donates Equipment to L&C’s Truck Driver Training Program
Lewis and Clark Community College will host officials from Con-way Freight this week to accept a set of twin 28-foot trailers and the connecting “dolly” converter, which the company has donated to the college’s Truck Driver Training program.
“This donation makes Lewis and Clark the first college to train students specifically in twin-trailer operations for large companies like Con-way, FedEx and UPS, and opens up even more job opportunities for our graduates,” said Davie Metzger, trainer in L&C’s Truck Driver Training program and former Con-way employee of 28 years. “Schools that focus on general truck driver training do not teach their students the skills necessary to operate this equipment. Doubles-trailers are widespread in large commercial trucking fleets and the driving jobs associated with this equipment combination are some of the most attractive and well-paying in the trucking industry.”
The donation and media event will take place at 11 a.m., Friday, May 8, in the brick paved lot in front of the Olin Science Building on the college’s Godfrey campus. If it rains, the event will be moved to the overlook lounge on the fifth floor of the Olin Science Building.
L&C President Dale Chapman will open with welcoming remarks, and other speakers will include Metzger, a Truck Driver Training student, and Kevin Beer, director of operations for Con-way’s St. Louis region.
Con-way employees Chuck Markezich, human resource generalist, and Nicholas Mutter, safety manager for the St. Louis region, will also be on campus for the event, during which the equipment will be formally presented and the titles transferred to L&C.
Eric Gamblin, a member of L&C’s first Truck Driver Training graduating class (Fall 2014), joined Con-way Freight three weeks after completing the program, and initially delivered the donated trailers to L&C’s campus earlier this spring.
While in the program, Gamblin, who drove a smaller commercial truck before joining Con-way, gained more than 1,000 miles of experience driving L&C’s 53-foot commercial truck.
“I love this program, and the instructors taught me a lot,” Gamblin said. “They were knowledgeable about the trucking business and really helped me learn the skills necessary to be successful as a safe, professional truck driver. Any time I needed help, they were there.”
“This donation makes Lewis and Clark the first college to train students specifically in twin-trailer operations for large companies like Con-way, FedEx and UPS, and opens up even more job opportunities for our graduates,” said Davie Metzger, trainer in L&C’s Truck Driver Training program and former Con-way employee of 28 years. “Schools that focus on general truck driver training do not teach their students the skills necessary to operate this equipment. Doubles-trailers are widespread in large commercial trucking fleets and the driving jobs associated with this equipment combination are some of the most attractive and well-paying in the trucking industry.”
The donation and media event will take place at 11 a.m., Friday, May 8, in the brick paved lot in front of the Olin Science Building on the college’s Godfrey campus. If it rains, the event will be moved to the overlook lounge on the fifth floor of the Olin Science Building.
L&C President Dale Chapman will open with welcoming remarks, and other speakers will include Metzger, a Truck Driver Training student, and Kevin Beer, director of operations for Con-way’s St. Louis region.
Con-way employees Chuck Markezich, human resource generalist, and Nicholas Mutter, safety manager for the St. Louis region, will also be on campus for the event, during which the equipment will be formally presented and the titles transferred to L&C.
Eric Gamblin, a member of L&C’s first Truck Driver Training graduating class (Fall 2014), joined Con-way Freight three weeks after completing the program, and initially delivered the donated trailers to L&C’s campus earlier this spring.
While in the program, Gamblin, who drove a smaller commercial truck before joining Con-way, gained more than 1,000 miles of experience driving L&C’s 53-foot commercial truck.
“I love this program, and the instructors taught me a lot,” Gamblin said. “They were knowledgeable about the trucking business and really helped me learn the skills necessary to be successful as a safe, professional truck driver. Any time I needed help, they were there.”
Have The Essential Driving Skills

These coaching are designed to help students clear the examinations and obtain their driving certificate with convenience. The. Of course, this is not the way to go if you really want to get Driving Instruction is formed over a few months frame assisting beginner motorists obtain the right abilities necessary for the street. Getting prepared to understand driving is definitely an important stage in your life, similar to the time when you took your first step or you rode a motorcycle for initially the most out of your driving school and if you want to become a accountable car owner. If you have remained for a significant period of your energy and effort without driving, you may need to be present at a driving course to modify your ability to drive. You can choose the trainer of your choice. There are educational organizations of motoring which provide both, women and men personnel. You can choose according to the choice of your comfort.
Arrowhead Transit’s volunteer drivers keep current with refresher training
“I’ve been surprised at the compassion of this group,” said Carl Crawford, Intercultural Center Coordinator at Lake Superior College.
Every year the volunteer drivers for Arrowhead Transit are required to take a refresher class so they can stay current on proper procedure. This year Crawford has been providing the diversity training for several of these classes.
Where's the story? PointsMentioned Map 3 Points Mentioned
Within the eight counties of the Arrowhead, there are currently 268 Arrowhead Transit active volunteer drivers. These drivers are reimbursed 57.5 cents per mile they drive. “None of these drivers that I have met are doing it just for the money,” said Crawford. “It’s a really compassionate group. All of them are dealing with people who are often at the toughest times in their lives.
“Sometimes it’s hard not to look at people and identify them by their needs. I tell the volunteers, ‘see the human side of your clients.’”
Arrowhead Transit contracts with insurance providers and counties to provide rides for qualifying persons to medical appointments. In addition Arrowhead Transit’s Rural Rides Program provides volunteer drivers to assist persons with work related transportation needs. Each month the volunteers drive almost 250,000 miles. That works out to over 11,000 miles per day (Monday through Friday), which is equivalent to driving back and forth from Los Angeles to New York, twice. Yet there has not been a serious accident caused by one of the volunteer drivers in the millions of miles driven.
Transportation Advocate, Martin Lepak, a one man HR department for these drivers said, “We have a really good group of drivers right now. I mean a really good group! Right now we are not looking for additional drivers, but if anyone is interested, they can contact me by email at martin.lepak@aeoa.org and I’ll get them on our waiting list.
“When I sign on drivers, I look for people who are willing to help people of every background. I look for dependability and adaptability. About 90% of our drivers are retired.”
“In America, we don’t celebrate everything being the same,” said Crawford. “Every person, every culture is different. Some of our communities in the Arrowhead are isolated. One of the drivers told me about a situation where they stopped at a gas station and the client, who was Native American, was not allowed to use the restroom. Another driver stopped at a fast food restaurant with her clients. When their four-yearold went into the play area, the parents of the kids who were in the play area told their kids to get out. It was gut wrenching for them to see this.
“These volunteers get to know people of every background.
I tell them we are all different and we can be okay with that. I tell them we need to allow every person the opportunity to make mistakes. We all do. And we need to give every person a chance to come back from their mistakes.”
The Arrowhead Transit Volunteer Driver Program is part of the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency.
Every year the volunteer drivers for Arrowhead Transit are required to take a refresher class so they can stay current on proper procedure. This year Crawford has been providing the diversity training for several of these classes.
Where's the story? PointsMentioned Map 3 Points Mentioned
Within the eight counties of the Arrowhead, there are currently 268 Arrowhead Transit active volunteer drivers. These drivers are reimbursed 57.5 cents per mile they drive. “None of these drivers that I have met are doing it just for the money,” said Crawford. “It’s a really compassionate group. All of them are dealing with people who are often at the toughest times in their lives.
“Sometimes it’s hard not to look at people and identify them by their needs. I tell the volunteers, ‘see the human side of your clients.’”
Arrowhead Transit contracts with insurance providers and counties to provide rides for qualifying persons to medical appointments. In addition Arrowhead Transit’s Rural Rides Program provides volunteer drivers to assist persons with work related transportation needs. Each month the volunteers drive almost 250,000 miles. That works out to over 11,000 miles per day (Monday through Friday), which is equivalent to driving back and forth from Los Angeles to New York, twice. Yet there has not been a serious accident caused by one of the volunteer drivers in the millions of miles driven.
Transportation Advocate, Martin Lepak, a one man HR department for these drivers said, “We have a really good group of drivers right now. I mean a really good group! Right now we are not looking for additional drivers, but if anyone is interested, they can contact me by email at martin.lepak@aeoa.org and I’ll get them on our waiting list.
“When I sign on drivers, I look for people who are willing to help people of every background. I look for dependability and adaptability. About 90% of our drivers are retired.”
“In America, we don’t celebrate everything being the same,” said Crawford. “Every person, every culture is different. Some of our communities in the Arrowhead are isolated. One of the drivers told me about a situation where they stopped at a gas station and the client, who was Native American, was not allowed to use the restroom. Another driver stopped at a fast food restaurant with her clients. When their four-yearold went into the play area, the parents of the kids who were in the play area told their kids to get out. It was gut wrenching for them to see this.
“These volunteers get to know people of every background.
I tell them we are all different and we can be okay with that. I tell them we need to allow every person the opportunity to make mistakes. We all do. And we need to give every person a chance to come back from their mistakes.”
The Arrowhead Transit Volunteer Driver Program is part of the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency.
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