8 minute read
DRIVEN TO SUCCEED
DRIVEN TO SUCCEED
Career paths with a purpose
Since 1975, Casella has provided meaningful employment opportunities to people from throughout the Northeast, strengthening workforces and the local economy, while serving their customers and the community.
Casella provides sustainable and rewarding career paths through its CDL training, frontline leadership training, and new diesel technician training program.
What began as a single truck enterprise, Casella now employs more than 4,300 people with more than one third of its work force made up of truck drivers, who provide curbside waste and recycling services daily. Drivers are always in demand, and in November 2020, Casella created its CDL (commercial driver’s license) training program.
Based in West Rutland, Vermont, the program offers 10 employees a month CDL training over 10 consecutive days. The training, which is valued at $5,000 per driver, is free to the student if they stay with the company for two years. Casella pays CDL apprentice candidates and covers food, lodging and travel. After training, candidates return to their home state for testing.
Rather than having a degree or previous experience, CDL training manager Bill Baptie says Casella instead seeks people who are reliable, safe, and dependable.
“You can’t teach someone to be reliable and friendly and consistent and honest. If they have those things, we can teach them to drive a truck,” says Baptie.
Drew Baccei formerly proctored tests for Casella for the Vermont DMV. Now, he’s in charge of the program Baptie helped pioneer.
Baccei agrees that a background in operating heavy equipment isn’t necessary.
“A lot of people come to school that have never been in a truck before. We get them all on the same page,” adds Baccei.
Participants learn industry-specific training, like safely navigating and backing up on dirt and secondary roads, taking wider turns, recognizing blind spots, and handling emergencies.
Students learn pre-trip and post-trip protocol -- general safety inspection processes to confirm the truck is road-worthy. Tasks include checking tire-tread depth, brake systems, and lights and fluids.
Debra West of Manchester, the program’s 100th graduate, found her calling there. West began as a temporary laborer in July, 2021, helping on non-CDL trucks, then became a full-time laborer that September.
West’s mentor and site manager, Rick Moriarty, told her about the CDL program, saying “I saw something in you.” The response struck a chord with her. “I said if he believes I can do it, I can do it,” says West.
While she still loves riding on the back of the trucks, it was the job itself, and the people, that attracted her.
“I absolutely fell in love with it. I think it was the people that I was working with. I just felt like this was where my career path was going,” West said.
Baptie, who trained West, says she possessed the qualities Casella sought from the start: promptness, reliability, and honesty.
“She was a standout,” Baptie says.
Baccei, who also trained West called her a “team leader.”
“She’s that one that rallies the troops. She’s got a positive attitude. She was the same way at her division when I first met her in Sanford (Maine),” says Baccei.
“She demonstrated exactly what we’re looking for. She was the person that helped someone else who was having more challenges than she was,” says Baptie.
“Leadership here is all about growth. They are pushing me towards that next step as a supervisor or manager down the line,” West said in 2022.
Four months after completing the CDL program, West became a supervisor in Casella’s Salem, N.H., division.
“I didn’t want to drive for my whole career. I wanted to move up a little bit, learn more about the business, and grow. I talked to (division manager) Martin Golubski. And finally, I got the courage to apply. And he hired me on,” says West.
As a supervisor, West ensures drivers operate safely, works on scheduling and routes, and monitors risk factors that come with driving in residential areas.
West’s day begins at 5:30 a.m. and ends at 5:30 p.m. She says the long days are worth it because of the people she works with.
“I get along with all the drivers. As you’re coming in (each day), we joke around and have fun,” says West. “I’m still learning a lot and I look forward to continuing to learn in the frontline leadership program. The opportunities have always been there for someone who is willing to learn and get things done.”
Baccei says guiding new employees like West on this path makes Casella stand out.
“Getting their CDL license is going to open the door for them to maybe be a lead driver or driver-trainer. The next step from that would be a route supervisor, and then an operations manager. The path is clear, and people like that,” says Baccei.
West says the program is user-friendly and uncomplicated, and instructors provide extra support, which results in an impressive completion and retention rate. To date, the program has graduated over 200 newly minted drivers and has a retention rate of 85 percent.
For those considering Casella’s CDL program, West simply says, “do it!”
Baptie reiterates that message to CDL incoming program participants.
“I tell our students all the time: ‘This is not the end for you.’ Now, opportunities are going to open for you,” Baptie says.
With the proven success of its CDL training program, Casella has recently added a diesel technician program, where employees learn general preventative maintenance techniques and earn certifications, such as the federal air brakes certification, as part of the training.
“We launched our CDL school with a long-term vision of building out this next phase of training to support our continued growth and needs from a technician standpoint,” said John W. Casella, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Casella.
“These programs help to build a sustainable pipeline of frontline drivers and technicians that will have the right skills and values to continue providing outstanding service to our customers in the near-term, while simultaneously getting people on debt-free paths to long and rewarding careers in our industry.”
Currently operating out of the Company’s Williston, Vermont Hauling Division, the Diesel Technician Training School will eventually be located alongside the CDL Training School in West Rutland, Vermont within proximity to its Home Office as well as the new Casella Engagement and Learning Center, located at the former College of St. Joseph.
“Many of our leaders throughout the company began their careers on the frontlines of our business,” Casella said. “What we have seen is that some of our best division managers, operations managers, and maintenance supervisors all began their careers by doing the work that they are now leading. These programs are designed to make it easier for qualified candidates to enter our industry by eliminating hurdles such as lack of funds to pay for school or tools and put them on a path to succeed for themselves, their families, and the Company.”
DRIVER SPOTLIGHTS
DAN GAGNON BELMONT, NH
When Dan Gagnon decided to quit smoking in 2010 he replaced it with a new habit, running. He never dreamed that more than a decade later he would be using his 17-mile commute as a training opportunity for his seventh marathon, or that he would be helping to improve many other lives and not just his own. Like many Casella drivers, Dan’s commitment to service extends far beyond the cab of his truck and in October, Dan will be running in the London Marathon, his sixth marathon in support of St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
PAUL RIOPELLE SALEM, NH
After fifteen years in the National Guard, Paul Riopelle’s drive to serve his community remains strong. He is now proudly transferring the skills he learned in service to our country to serving his customers in Salem, NH, as a frontload driver at Casella. Riopelle enjoys getting involved with Touch-A-Truck events and interacting with kids who love big trucks, like he does.
MIKE SULHAM BETHLEHEM, NH
Casella driver Mike Sulham’s commitment to service is fueled by his unwavering dedication to the Bethlehem, NH community he calls home. Celebrating 11 years behind the wheel at Casella, his infectious smile and friendly demeanor have become a staple experience for families, friends, and customers of all ages along his route.
“I feel I’m doing a service, not only to the town, but it’s the right thing to do for the environment,” he says.
