Commercial Drivers License Exam Prep
Currently, the United States has a major shortage of truckers and other commercial drivers – 78,000 in 2022 and, by 2030, we may have 160,000 fewer drivers than we need. This is already affecting supply chains and those interruptions affect all of us. Before arriving in the U.S., many refugees were driving trucks, Humvees, large construction equipment, and ambulances; they don't mind the solo work or the long hours. They have the skills and experience, making them ideal for becoming a commercial truck driver.
Global Impact Initiative (Gii) has developed relationships with over 250 Austin-based refugee families from Afghanistan, Iraq, and Ukraine with the aim of facilitating their incorporation into the local community. More than 60% of the adults have little or no ability in English, and over 80% are not sufficiently fluent to qualify for jobs or training for positions that pay a living wage. Although many come with job skills from their home country, they do not hold certifications allowing them to work in Austin in such in-demand occupations as commercial truck driving or health care.
To address these major issues, Gii is launching a two-pronged program that equips refugees with the English and commercial truck driving credentials they need to obtain gainful employment. With this credential and a good job, they can lead independent, fulfilling lives and become contributing members of their community. Gii will partner with the House of Tutors (HOFT) Institute, which has 40+ years of experience teaching English as a second language (ESL) to international students from over three dozen countries.
PROGRAM COMPONENTS
English as a Second Language (ESL)
The ESL program envisioned by Gii will utilize the HOFT Institute’s campus of more than 11,000 square feet of classrooms, lecture halls, tutoring rooms, library, computer lab, student commons, and offices. The ESL program is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET) and approved by SEVIS, the U.S. Government Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. The HOFT Institute’s educational center is open 6 days a week, and hosts several social/cultural events with many opportunities for students to meet and get to know native English-speaking students.
The Institute’s operational standards include thoughtfully crafted instructional designs, a premium level of service and care, and a range of services and programs (on-site and online) accessible to every student. Both individual tutoring and long-term mentoring are fundamentals of the HOFT academic mission. The campus, the services, and the programs are geared to work together as well as independently to assist students to effectively meet their goals. Features of the proposed intensive ESL program component for refugees with little or no English skills include:
Two 12-week (3-month) sessions
23 hours of instruction per week for the duration of each session
Instruction emphasizing reading and speaking in preparation for CDL knowledge tests
Classes Monday through Friday from 6:30 to 9:30 pm and 12 to 4 pm on weekends
Optimally, 6–10 students per class
Language practice with American conversation partners 5 hours every week
Note: Students who already have a low-intermediate level of English should be able to prepare for the CDL course after a single 12-week session, while those starting without initial English fundamentals are expected to need two full sessions to reach a point where they can take the CDL training course. In addition, students will receive continuous support from the Gii team throughout the duration of this program, by providing ongoing mentoring and conversation, to reduce anxiety and improve language skills.
Entry Level Driver Training – Theory
The ESL component of the program will serve as a precursor to Gii’s Commercial Driver License (CDL) Training. Together these two components will equip students with the necessary language skills and knowledge to obtain a CDL permit.
Per recent trends documented by the American Trucking Association (ATA), the current truck driver shortage in America is estimated to be 78,000 drivers, and the trucking industry could need more than 160,000 drivers by 2030. Many refugees have large vehicle driving experience working for the U.S. government in their home country, primarily driving Humvees and ambulances. Focusing on this experienced, partially skilled group, and understanding the critical demand for these skills within the trucking industry in the United States, Gii is seeking financing to assist refugees in obtaining their CDL.
Gii is already experiencing success assisting refugees in Austin in preparing for the State-level CDL knowledge exam by incorporating several success factors including:
Supplemental programming that provides additional tutoring, mentoring, quizzes, and translation support to help build confidence, reduce anxiety, and help refugees prepare for CDL testing requirements
Overcoming challenges that exams pose to non-native speakers
Providing additional mentorship and practical training specific to U.S. cultural norms
Supplying refugees with computers and practice tests
To date, 100% of the individuals who have been provided the additional support have passed the CDL exam. Building on this success, Gii is seeking a partnership and financial assistance to expand the candidate pool and scope of the program to include completion of all requirements for obtaining a CDL and secure employment as a commercial truck driver.
Two-Part Program
Phase 1
The first phase of the CDL training provides refugees with an online course, ancillary support and resources to complete the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) mandated Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) theory requirement. Gii has obtained FMCSA approval to serve as an online ELDT-Theory provider and is developing a course that meets FMCA curriculum requirements: The course will:
Be fully online.
Meet FMCSA ELDT curriculum requirements.
Cover five driving and non-driving topics.
Fulfill FMCSA requirements for State-level skills test.
Upgrade English proficiency to required levels.
Prepare trainees for State knowledge exams.
Coach the student on the English assessment test upon registration.
Phase 2
The second phase of the training assists refugees in completing all requirements for obtaining a CDL in Texas. Completing both phases of the CDL training is estimated to take 2–3 months once candidates are screened and identified. All training candidates are authorized for work/study in the U.S.
With full program completion, candidates would fulfill the following requirements:
Complete FMCSA approved ELDT Theory curriculum (Gii online course)
Submit a completed Medical Examination Report Form and Medical Examiner’s Certificate Form
Pass a vision test
Pass State knowledge exams required for issuance of a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)
Obtain required behind-the-wheel (BTW) training from an approved provider
Schedule and complete CDL road skills and pre-trip inspection exams
Completing the ESL program component and obtaining a CDL would provide refugees considerable employment opportunities and economic stability. This would also help address the critical shortage of licensed commercial truck drivers within the industry.
Gii programs, such as this one, can become blueprints for other programs. We develop our initiatives with an eye to their expandability. We want our development efforts to pay dividends beyond Gii. This program can be expanded to include other locations in Texas (and beyond) and serve as a model for launching similar programs in other states with large numbers of recently resettled refugees from Afghanistan, newly arriving Ukrainian refugees and refugees from other countries.
