CDL Job Placement: Lifetime Career Support
For most students, the goal isn’t just earning a CDL, it’s starting a career. Commercial Driving Academy (CDA) has built a truck driving job placement program to connect graduates with carriers from day one. The school’s commitment doesn’t end when students pass the test. Ongoing support is provided throughout drivers’ careers.
Finding a trucking job after earning a CDL doesn’t have to be difficult. Here at CDA, staff connect qualified graduates with carriers actively hiring in South Carolina, Georgia, Oklahoma, Illinois, and New Mexico. The school works with carriers who regularly hire CDA graduates. The career services team matches students’ skills, preferences, and lifestyle goals with entry-level CDL opportunities.
What CDL Job Placement Assistance Includes
Commercial Driving Academy’s truck driving job placement assistance is comprehensive, personalized, and available to graduates throughout their careers. The trucking industry faces a driver shortage, and qualified CDL holders are in demand. This program helps students connect with opportunities that fit their goals.
Here’s what the CDL job placement program includes:
Zero Out-of-Pocket Training Options: Many carrier partners offer sponsorships that can cover tuition, allowing students to start earning without training debt.
Lifetime Career Support: Ongoing job placement support for as long as graduates need it, whether they’re looking for their first job or exploring new opportunities years down the road.
Direct Access to Carriers: The school maintains relationships with regional and national carriers that recruit drivers directly from the Class A program. This gives graduates direct connections to hiring recruiters.
Personalized Job Matching: The career services team takes time to understand each student’s preferences, including home time, route types, pay structure, and company culture, to find positions that fit their lives.
Real-World Preparation: CDA prepares students for the hiring process with coaching that employers value, including resume guidance and interview preparation.
Start Your Truck Driving Career with Zero Out-of-Pocket Costs
Financial concerns shouldn’t prevent anyone from starting a new career. Commercial Driving Academy offers several funding options that can cover tuition, potentially allowing students to start CDL training with zero out-of-pocket costs.
Student counselors can help explore options including:
Carrier Sponsorships: Several hiring partners offer tuition reimbursement or sponsorship programs. A student’s future employer may cover training costs in exchange for accepting a driving position with their fleet.
WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) Grants: Eligible students can receive full or partial tuition coverage through federally funded workforce development programs.
VA Benefits: Veterans and eligible dependents can use their GI Bill benefits to cover CDL training costs at the South Carolina campus.
In-House Financing: Flexible payment plans allow students to begin training now and manage costs over time.
How Truck Driver Employment Services Work
Commercial Driving Academy supports students’ job searches from certification to placement. Here’s how the process works:
Step 1: Certification & State Skills Testing
Once students complete classroom hours, behind-the-wheel training, and meet all competency requirements, they receive a certificate of completion. After training, you will be assisted in scheduling state CDL skills tests and provided the necessary equipment. With a CDL in hand, graduates are eligible for the truck driving job placement program.
Step 2: Personalized Career Strategy
Career advisors discuss goals, preferences, and circumstances with each student. The team helps identify opportunities that match what students are looking for:
- Over-the-road (OTR) opportunities
- Regional routes with weekly home time
- Local positions offering nightly home time
Support staff help students prepare resumes, practice interview skills, and develop strategies tailored to their priorities.
Step 3: Direct Placement & Ongoing Support
CDA coordinates with trucking companies and carriers seeking qualified, entry-level CDL drivers. The team submits student credentials to carriers that match their criteria, helps arrange interviews, and provides support through the hiring process. Career services remain available throughout graduates’ careers.
Types of Entry-Level Trucking Jobs Graduates Pursue
A Class A or Class B CDL opens doors to different trucking career paths. CDA graduates have secured positions across multiple sectors:
Over-the-Road (OTR) Trucking
For graduates seeking higher earning potential and extensive territory coverage, OTR positions with national carriers offer competitive pay.
Regional Trucking Routes
Regional positions provide a balance between income and home time. Most regional drivers operate within a multi-state area and return home weekly or bi-weekly.
Local Delivery & Distribution
Local CDL jobs allow drivers to be home every night while earning a solid income. These positions often involve food service, beverage distribution, or less-than-truckload (LTL) freight.
Local Truck Driving Opportunities
With campuses nationwide, CDA connects graduates with trucking jobs near school locations. Placement specialists understand local job markets.
South Carolina: The Duncan, SC campus connects drivers with carriers operating routes across the Southeast and beyond.
Illinois: The Joliet, IL school places drivers with carriers operating out of the greater Chicago area, a major logistics hub.
Oklahoma: CDA connects graduates from the Oklahoma City, OK school with jobs in the energy, agriculture, and freight sectors across the Midwest.
Georgia: From the Macon, GA location, graduates find opportunities with freight and logistics companies in a busy transport corridor.
New Mexico: The Albuquerque, NM school connects graduates with driving roles in the energy, warehousing, and transportation sectors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it hard to find a job with a CDL?
The trucking industry currently faces a driver shortage, and demand for qualified drivers is high. Carriers actively recruit graduates from programs like CDA’s, often offering competitive pay, sign-on bonuses, and guaranteed hours.
How does job placement work?
At CDA, job placement is a personalized process. It begins with one-on-one career strategy sessions where advisors match student goals (OTR, Regional, Local) to the school’s network of carrier partners. Staff facilitate direct connections, provide interview practice, and offer support to help students find jobs after graduation.
Do trucking companies pay for CDL training?
Many do. Through CDA’s carrier relationships, major trucking companies offer tuition reimbursement or sponsorship programs that can cover training costs. Student counselors help prospective students explore and apply for the $0 down options.
CDA offers CDL training with job placement support, financial aid options, and zero out-of-pocket start costs for long-term career stability.
