PITTSFIELD, Mass. — According to an American Trucking Association survey, more than 400,000 new truck drivers are needed every year. 

 

The Workforce Development and Community Education Department at Berkshire Community College (BCC), in partnership with United Tractor Trailer School of Holyoke, Massachusetts, is helping to fill this need by offering two sessions of Commercial Driver's License (CDL) training.  

 

Professional instructors help students gain the skills necessary to enter the rapidly growing industry of trucking, in a highly motivated and positive hands-on atmosphere. Training comprises a total of 60 hours of instruction in the classroom, the field and on the road. A road test will be conducted at the end of the training session.  

 

Session 1: Monday, May 20 through Friday, May 24, 8 am – 5 pm. This session is free for students who qualify for a scholarship. Space is limited, and registration is required. For more information or to register, email

workforce@berkshirecc.edu. This class is expected to fill quickly.  

 

Session 2: Monday, June 3 through Friday, June 7, 8 am –5 pm. The fee for this session is $3,600, plus $150 for the road test. For more information or to register, email workforce@berkshirecc.edu. 

 

Training sessions will be held at the Berkshire Mall parking lot in Lanesborough, with the exception of the first class, which will take place in a classroom at BCC. 

 

Students must be Massachusetts residents who are 18 years or older with a valid driver's license. In addition, students must have both a learner's permit and a Department of Transportation physical prior to class start date.