Revving Careers: New Dual Credit Course Paves the Way for Future Commercial Truck Drivers

The dual credit format really gives students a head-start toward a successful career...and when those skills are in such high demand, that’s a win for everyone.

Every year, more than 1,000 jobs are available for commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders throughout the Lake Land College district. The truck-driving industry is already the largest in the local economic region, and it is rapidly expanding to include new career fields.

As the Lake Land College Transportation Training Coordinator, Justin Onigkeit has seen these trends provide students with new opportunities in unexpected fields. Many electrical lineman positions and agriculture careers, for instance, now require CDL completion.

“More and more, we’re finding it’s not just about the traditional over-the-road career,” Onigkeit said. “There are so many applications that require a CDL.”

In response to this local demand, Lake Land College is opening its CDL program up to high school students through a new dual credit CDL Theory course. This one-semester class allows students to complete the first portion of the federally-required Entry-Level Driver Training program, all while building essential skills for employment and exploring high-demand career opportunities.

After completing the theory course, students will have the knowledge needed to obtain a CDL permit with the Illinois Secretary of State and enroll in Behind-the-Wheel training. By getting ahead with the dual credit course, students can complete the Behind-the-Wheel program the summer immediately following high school graduation and receive their CDL.

The entry-level dual credit class will first be offered in Fall 2024 at Lake Land’s recently-acquired Effingham Technology Center. It is available exclusively to high school seniors, who must be at least 17 years old by September 1, 2024.

For its initial fall introduction, the course will be specifically offered to students from the Effingham Regional Career Academy (ERCA) with plans to expand for Spring.

“We can’t wait to see how this program benefits our students and the industry as a whole,” Onigkeit said. “For a field that’s growing as quickly as this one is, it’s really exciting to see young students take an early interest.”

FREE DUAL CREDIT COURSES OFFERED THROUGH ERCA

The CDL Theory class is one of several Lake Land College Dual Credit courses being offered this fall for FREE to students within the Effingham Regional Career Academy. All the courses will be taught by Lake Land College instructors and will be held through ERCA at the Lake Land College Effingham Technology Center. The courses offer students opportunities to explore careers in the high-demand fields of CDL, agriculture, healthcare, networking and GIS.

TRANSPORTATION AREA OF STUDY

• Auto Mechanic

• Automotive Technology

• Commercial Truck Driver Training

• Transportation Exploratory Area of Study

LEARN MORE

For more information or to get started in a Transportation Area of Study visit LakeLandCollege.edu.