Registration opens soon for Kish’s 'Bridge to Career' classes
The adult education program at Kishwaukee College is offering Bridge to Career Pathways this spring, where students receive training and skills to enter the workforce.
Read MoreBecome a safe, professional truck driver.
We put well-trained drivers on the road. Businesses and the economy rely on professional truck drivers to transport goods and materials safely and in a timely manner. Prepare for your Illinois Class-A commercial driver’s license (CDL) in our 160-hour truck driver training program.
Our curriculum guide outlines the topics we cover.
Some of our topics include:
Out in the yard and on the road, we’ll teach you:
There is also the opportunity to practice for your CDL before taking the official test.
Day classes can be completed in 4 weeks but may take longer depending on the student, holidays or other factors. Day classes meet 7:00 am – 3:00 pm Monday through Friday. During the summer, day classes run Monday through Thursday from 7:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Night classes can be completed in 9 weeks but may take longer depending on the student, holidays or other factors. They run from 5:00 pm - 9:30 pm Monday through Thursday.
Students must complete 160 hours of class attendance.
Illinois Class-A CDL Day Classes (160 hours)
*Currently postponed due to COVID-19.
Illinois Class-A CDL Night Classes (160 hours)
*Currently postponed due to COVID-19.
Hazardous Material, Tanker, and Double/Triples Endorsement Classes (8 hours)
*Currently postponed due to COVID-19.
This 8-hour courses does not include the costs for the Transportation Security Administration risk assessment fingerprinting and the Illinois Secretary of State written test for the Hazardous Materials Tanker, and Doubles/Triples endorsements.
Class dates are subject to change. Email mgallagher1@kish.edu for information or call 815-825-9466.
Funding is available through the WIOA Youth and WIOA Adult programs, click on link below for more information:
Training grants may be available for eligible unemployed or displaced workers. To find out more, contact:
For Ogle County:
Best, Inc.
810 S. 10th Street
Oregon, IL
815-732-0148
For DeKalb County :
DeKalb Workforce Development Office
650 N. Peace Road
DeKalb, IL
815-901-0177, ext. 239 or ext. 225.
Veterans’ benefits are accepted and student loan information is available.
You must be 18 years of age to receive your CDL license. For our truck driver training program, you must:
Yes! We offer various classes for truck drivers.
CDL Refresher Class Information
1 hour- $45.00 Initial Assessment Fee
16 Hours - $600.00
40 Hours - $1,100.00
Designed as a refresher course for individuals who currently possess a Class “A” CDL, this course may be taken for either 16 hours or 40 hours, depending on the individual’s needs and skill level. A one-time charge of $45.00 will be made for a BTW (behind the wheel) assessment of the student. This assessment will be done to assure the student receives the proper number of course hours needed. Instruction includes Pre-Trip Inspection review, a brush-up of basic control (yard) skills, and on-the-road driving with emphasis on the double clutch technique required for testing. The training is geared specifically toward the state of Illinois Pre-Trip Inspection, the Basic Control Skills and Road tests. The licensing test will be scheduled at an Illinois motor vehicle facility at the end of the course. A tractor/trailer will be provided. Applicant must currently hold an “Air Brakes” endorsement on their license.
Classroom Instruction (non-driving)
40 Hours - $500.00
Obtaining a CDL permit is the purpose of this five day class. The first 2 days is
devoted to permit study and preparation.
Day one includes reading and study of the General Knowledge, Combination, and Air
Brakes sections from the Illinois CDL manual.
Day 2 begins with a visual presentation of the tractor and trailer, specifically covering
those areas which pertain to questions asked on the permit tests. Practice tests are
used to further prepare for the actual permit tests.
Day 3 covers a number of topics through the use of video curriculum and question-and-answer
periods. These include: Emergency Maneuvers, Accident Procedures, Night Driving, Extreme
Weather Conditions, Hazard Perception, Backing and Driving Techniques and D.O.T. rules
and regulations.
Days 4 and 5 consist of Hours of Service and keeping logs, map reading, and trip planning.
Permit Study
16 Hours - $240.00
Day one of this two day course includes reading and studying the General Knowledge,
Combination, and Air Brakes sections from the Illinois CDL manual.
Day 2 begins with a visual presentation of the tractor and trailer, specifically covering
those areas which pertain to questions asked on the permit tests. Practice tests are
also used to prepare students for the actual permit tests.
Hours of Service Instruction
16 Hours - $240.00
This course of instruction teaches the rules and regulations concerning the “Driver’s Daily Log”. Topics include correctly entering data into the log, keeping track of hours using the Monthly Summary, trip planning, and map reading.
Hazardous Materials, Tanker, and Doubles/Triples Endorsement
8 Hours - $200.00
This eight hour class covers the basics needed to take and pass the State-administered written tests for Hazardous Materials, Tanker, and Doubles/Triples endorsements. Sections 7, 8 and 9 of the CDL manual will be studied and reviewed. Learning aids such as video, quizzes, and practice tests are used.
Contact mgallagher1@kish.edu or 815-825-9466 for information.
The adult education program at Kishwaukee College is offering Bridge to Career Pathways this spring, where students receive training and skills to enter the workforce.
Read MoreThe Kishwaukee College Continuing Education department is offering four Short-Term Training programs during the Summer 2021 semester. Two are offered online. Two are offered in a hybrid format.
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