March 14, 2013 - Truck Driving Program News:  

After 15 years, 122 classes, and thousands of students, California Emergency Foodlink is closing its Trucking Driving Program.   The closure is not due to lack of students or interest from the public but rather due to the lack of funding for the program.  Foodlink will continue its services to emergency food providers in Sacramento County and throughout the State of California.

 

 

California Emergency Foodlink’s Truck Driving School has graduated thousands of students since its beginning in 1998. The program is made up of classroom work, community service within Foodlink’s warehouses, a hands-on driving internship with Foodlink’s drivers, and job applicant assistance.

Each class accommodates 25-35 students and is open to the general public particularly those with little or no income. Foodlink works with the Department of Human Assistance, the Department of Corrections, shelters, and transitional housing programs to inform people of the program.

 

The Program

Our truck driving program is 18 weeks.  Class is held Monday thru Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm.  We do not offer accelerated programs, night or weekend classes.  Our course provides students with training for a Class A license with all endorsements, including passenger (buses & limousines) and hazmat endorsements, forklift certification, 1st Aid and CPR training.  In a new addition to the program, students also complete a Defensive Driving course. 

The truck driving program begins with 6 weeks of classroom training where students work to obtain their permits. Next, the students begin a second 6 week period of hands-on training in Foodlink vehicles and trucks. The last portion of the program is a 6 week unpaid internship with Foodlink. During this time students make deliveries, complete road miles, and continue to receive instruction and training from Foodlink teachers and drivers. Tuition fees are waived because students give their services to help Foodlink provide food to those in need through out California.  Student volunteer duties include working in the warehouse.  This school is an exchange.  Students help Foodlink and Foodlink helps students get their Class A license. The internship gives students a verifiable work history while helping Foodlink to effectively distribute food to the hungry in California.

Foodlink’s Truck Driving School not only provides students with valuable skills but the service component also helps Foodlink in its main mission: getting food to those in need.

 

There are some direct costs that students must pay:

DOT Drug Test                     $60.00             Due the first day of school

Admin Fees                          $57.00             Due the first day of school

DOT Physical                        $45.00            Due 3^rd week of school

DMV License Fees              $68.00            Due 4^th week of school

TOTAL:                         $230.00

Some students may be interested in applying for a Hazmat Background Check which is an additional $86.50 but is optional.

 

Orientation Information

California Emergency Foodlink Truck Driving School has new classes starting every 6 weeks.  Students are required to attend an Orientation which is held every Monday afternoon at 1:30pm. (If Monday is a holiday, the Orientation is held the next day…on Tuesday at 1:30pm.)  Orientations last at least 1 ½ hours.  During this time, we’ll explain our program, the costs and answer questions.  Students that are still interested can stay to take the entry test.  This is a timed test that must be completed in one hour, and includes reading, math and language skills. 

 

Our upcoming class schedule is as follows:

Class #120           November 13, 2012 through March 29, 2013

Class #121           January 7^th through May 10, 2013

Class #122           February 19^th through June 21, 2013

 

Please contact Foodlink at 916.387.9000 ext. 100 should you require any additional information. Hope to see you at one of our Monday afternoon Orientations!