CAREER TRAINING RESOURCES

EDITORS NOTE: Advanced Career Institute has discontinued our School Bus Driving Program. We still offer our Commercial Bus Driver Program at select campuses. Now that you’ve completed Bus Driver Training, I’m sure you’re wondering, “What exactly do bus drivers do during the day?” School bus drivers have extensive breaks during their morning and afternoon routes. However, this break isn’t long enough for drivers to get part-time, so they must find an alternative way to spend their time. Keep reading to find out what many bus drivers tend to do during their downtime.

Drive Multiple School Bus Routes

Oftentimes, school bus drivers will choose to drive a variety of routes for the school system. Typically, high school students start earlier than middle school and elementary students. Many drivers will run their first high school route and then proceed to run a second route to pick up middle school or elementary students, depending on the start times of the different schools. This helps to shorten the downtime between their morning and afternoon routes. Sometimes, school bus drivers will choose to drive for school field trips, sporting events, and other extracurricular activities to make an extra buck and to lessen the downtime during the day.

Work Additional Jobs Within the School System

Many drivers tend to work in other areas in the school system. The most common jobs for school bus drivers to work are either in the school cafeteria or as a janitor. Most times, a bus driver's break between their routes aligns perfectly with the school’s lunchtimes, making a cafeteria worker seem like an ideal option to not only earn additional money but to fill their time during the day. Also, some bus drivers work as mechanics in the bus garages or barns. Usually, bus drivers take their buses back to the garage after their morning routes which makes it easy for them to work directly in the same garage on other buses that need maintenance.

Take Advantage of Downtime

Lastly, some bus drivers take full advantage of their downtime. Many bus drivers run side businesses during this time and in their own free time to earn additional wages. However, some school bus drivers use this time to run errands, do household chores, spend time with family, eat lunch, and even take a quick nap. Despite the extensive downtime, school bus drivers take on a huge responsibility. Not only are they responsible for navigating the road while behind the wheel of a huge vehicle, but they are also responsible for safely transporting 40+ kids to school and back home. Although it comes with huge responsibilities, a bus driving career is extremely rewarding. Are you interested in becoming a bus driver? Advanced Career Institute offers Commercial Bus Driver Training in California. ACI campus locations can be found in Fresno, Merced, and Visalia. To learn more, check out our Class B CDL Training Program!

Can a truck driver be pulled over? Yes, at some point in your trucking career, you could see blue and red flashing lights behind you indicating you to pull over. Being pulled over in your truck is extremely nerve-racking, but the following tips will help ease the process.

What to Do When You See the Flashing Lights

If you are being pulled over, don’t just whip the big rig anywhere on the side of the road. You need to look for a place to pull over that ensures safety for both your truck and the officer. Try not to stop the flow of traffic. The best areas to pull over are typically off-ramps or paved areas. Additionally, avoid stopping on soft-shoulders because your truck may get stuck. However, remember your main responsibility is to look out for your safety and the safety of other drivers even when being pulled over.

Necessary Documentation to Have On Hand

After being pulled over, the following documents may be requested by the officer: CDL, registration, logbook, and bill of lading. A bill of lading is a receipt detailing what is being shipped, how much, where it is going, and when it should be there. It is typically signed by the shipper, receiver and carrier representative. However, only present the documents that the officer requests. Additionally, your documentation should be located in an easy to reach place in your truck. You don’t want to have to get up to get your documents because this could cause the officer to question their safety because they may be unsure of what exactly you may bring back.

Important Things to Remember While Being Pulled Over

First, do not remove your seatbelt before the officer sees you wearing it. This helps to avoid possible additional violations the officer may ticket you for. Second, when the officer asks why you think you were pulled over, don’t say anything that could be taken as an admission of guilt. Give brief, but honest answers. Also, it is vital for you to be polite to the officer regardless of whether you believe you should have been pulled over or not. Lastly, always remember to thank the officer for doing their job whether they gave you a ticket or a verbal warning. Although being pulled over may be overwhelming, it is important to park your truck in a safe location. Be prepared with the correct documentation. And always be polite to the officer! If you have received a ticket, check out this blog for what to do next! Interested in becoming a truck driver? Advanced Career Institute offers hands-on truck driver training in California. ACI campuses are located in Merced, Visalia and Fresno. For more information on earning your California CDL, head over to our Class A CDL Training!

Obesity is a rising issue in the truck driving industry. According to a study conducted by The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), nearly 69% of long-haul truckers are considered to be obese. To avoid obesity and potential health risks, truckers should be well rested, eat healthy snacks throughout the day and exercise at least 15 minutes each day. Check out these simple, effective workouts you can do over-the-road!

Workouts in Your Cabin

 No equipment? No problem! The following workouts can be completed without equipment from the comfort of your sleeper.

• - Pushups – Pushups only require body weight and minimal space which makes them the perfect exercise for truckers. In addition to increasing your strength, push-ups can improve your posture and flexibly, and can help prevent injury.
• - Planks – Similar to pushups, planks only need minimal space to complete. Planks work to strengthen your abdominal and back muscles.
• - Sit-ups – As a staple in many fitness routines, sit-ups are a great workout to strength your core. It only takes a few minutes to crank out a few sets of sit-ups. You can easily complete this exercise before beginning your morning routine.
• - Tricep Dips – Lastly, another easy, effective arm workout to do in your cabin is tricep dips. You can do them on the ground or by using your bunk as support to lower your body by bending at the elbow.

Exercises from the Driver’s Seat

Stretching is extremely important to reduce stress and to avoid injury. The following stretches can be done from the driver’s seat.

• - Shoulder Stretches – Shoulder shrugs are a great way to reduce tension and stress from your shoulder area. When stopped, raise your shoulders up to your ears. Hold for 10 seconds, release and repeat.
• - Hand Stretches – Long-haul truckers spend a significant amount of time gripping the steering wheel causing their hands to cramp up and feel stiff. Overtime, this could lead to arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome. To reduce the risk of these illnesses, truckers can perform hand stretches. Try rolling your wrists in a circle or gently pulling your fingers toward your body. Check out this blog for more stretches!

Stretch Your Legs

A final exercise to add to your daily routine is either walking or running. This is a great way to stay in shape. Cardio helps to strengthen your lungs and lose weight. We understand it may be difficult to find time to do cardio during your busy routes. However, walking or running is an easy exercise to complete while waiting to pick up your loads. Plus, it allows you to stretch your legs and no longer be cooped up in your cab! Whichever exercises you choose to complete, it is essential to add physical activity to your everyday routine. It will help you to look better, feel better and live a healthier life.   Interested in becoming a truck driver? Advanced Career Institute offers California Truck Driver Training. ACI campuses are located in Fresno, Merced and Visalia. Head over to Our Programs to learn more about our Class A Truck Driving!

Our nation and economy depends heavily on the trucking industry. Trucks transport an assortment of goods that we rely on in order to maintain our every day way of life. Trucking is the only efficient way of transporting goods across the country. That being said, we must also take into consideration the carbon footprint of the trucking industry. Many trucking companies have began to shift their focus towards environmental consciousness. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, transportation accounts for nearly 27% of greenhouse gas emissions. When released in high concentrations, greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere which essentially warms our planet. As the planet warms, there is a ripple effect that negatively affects various aspects of the climate and overall environment. This may include: creating more severe natural disasters, melting sea ice and receding coastal lines. As a trucker, you cannot solely rely on your carrier to make all of the environmentally conscious adjustments. There are a variety of simple ways to reduce your truck emissions and improve the fuel economy in your truck (which saves you and the company money!) Read on to learn 3 easy tips for sustainable trucking!

Control Speed & Minimize Idling Time

You play a major part in controlling the fuel economy in your truck. Improving the fuel economy in your truck can reduce your personal carbon footprint. A study conducted by the American Trucking Association showed a 35 percent difference in the most and least fuel efficient drivers. Here are a few of ways to improve your truck's fuel economy:

• - Maintain an average speed (ideally around 55 mph)
• - Use cruise control when possible
• - Minimize idling time
• - Reduce the amount of times you accelerate and decelerate

Create Efficient Routines

The fuel efficiency in your truck is only partially controlled by your actual driving and gear shifting. A lot of it has to do with the weather, routes you choose to take, truck maintenance and aerodynamics. Luckily for you, you can semi-control some of these elements. Develop fuel efficient routines by:

• - Fueling in the morning
• - Driving routes with less traffic and stop lights
• - Plan routes with efficient drop offs and rest stops
• - Maximize your time at rest stops

Reducing the carbon footprint of the trucking industry begins with you. Every little adjustment has a positive effect on your individual fuel economy and on the environment as a whole.   Interested in being involved in a fundamental industry in our nation? Truck driving may be the career for you! Before beginning your trucking career, you must complete Class A CDL training. Advanced Career Institute offers hands-on truck driver training courses in California. Trucking classes are taught at three campus locations: Merced, Visalia and Fresno. Head over to Class A Truck Driving to learn more!

Underwater welding is a dangerous career yet it employs numerous people. Why is this so? Read on to learn more about the pros and cons of underwater welding.

What is Underwater Welding & How Does It Work?

Underwater welding has been around since 1932, and is often referred to as hyperbaric welding. It can take place in wet or dry environments. Wet welding is when the welder is entirely submerged in water. The welding is executed using forms of arc welding that employ a waterproof electrode where the welding supply connects to equipment through cables and hoses. Conversely, dry welding is used for high integrity welds. During dry welding, the weld is completed within a sealed pressure chamber that prevents water from entering the work area. They often use a form of gas tungsten arc welding. Dry welding is often used to repair pipelines and ships. Underwater welding research is being conducted at depths of up to 3,300 feet.

Why is it dangerous?

My guess is that your first thought about underwater welding was “Electricity and water aren’t a good mix. Isn’t that dangerous?” The answer is…yes! However, many safety precautions are taken to reduce the risk. Underwater welding is completed using a welding stick where a layer of bubbles is created to shield the weld from water. Dry welding is also a safer method since the weld itself is not exposed to water. However, electricity does not pose the biggest threat. Welders operate at high pressures that threaten the body. Additionally, large bubbles created by the weld and the overall dark atmosphere underwater makes it hard to see, and is threatening to the welder. The most notable underwater risk is differential pressure or Delta P. In Delta P, water from one area attempts to rush to fill another. The pressure difference accumulates hundreds of pounds which can draw divers in and make it very hard to escape. Although there is a high risk of Delta P, companies have come up with action plans on how to avoid this fatal occurrence. For more information on Delta P, check out this video.

Why do people choose to take these risks?

Many welders choose this career path because it is exciting, peculiar and challenging. Additionally, underwater welders are essential components to industries all over the world. This means that skilled welders are in high demand. Currently, companies do not possess the technology to complete underwater welding tasks without humans. This provides underwater welders with job security. On top of it all, underwater welders have the opportunity to make significant salaries that they would not have access to as a typical welder.

The Future of Underwater Welding

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for an underwater welder is around $53,990 per year or $25.96 per hour. Underwater welder jobs are concentrated in California, Florida, Michigan and Washington. Your career can take place in one of two locations: inland or offshore. Inland welders typically make less than their offshore colleagues. They tend to work on bridges, dams and small water vessels. Although there is less pay involved, you operate on a less demanding schedule (40-hour work weeks) and less travel is required. However, offshore welders tend to bring in the big bucks. They work on oil rigs and large ships. In this job, you may spend a significant time out at sea and can expect to long work weeks, even up to 80 hours!   Interested in becoming an underwater welder? The first step is to get your welding certification. Advanced Career Institute offers hands-on welder training in the California area. ACI welding campuses are located in Visalia and Fresno. For more information, head over to Welder Training!

How many times have you heard that in order to get a good job you must go to college? Going to college means 4 more years of studying, 4 more years of tests, and 4 more years not getting paid. On top of all that, tuition will cost you an arm and a leg. Although we were conditioned to believe otherwise, a college degree is not the only way to be successful. There are a variety of career options that offer high paying salaries and job security without a 4-year degree. One of those career options is truck driving. The truck driving industry is facing a shortage of drivers, so there are a significant amount of jobs available. Employers are willing to pay big bucks for drivers in order to keep their fleets running. To become a trucker, you will need to attend trucking school. Lucky for you, truck driver training with Advanced Career Institute only lasts around 4-6 weeks! Learn why trucking school is the right fit for you.

Cost of Schooling

So you’re telling me that in order for me to make money, I have to spend it…a lot of it? When attending to an instate university, you can expect to pay at least $16,000 per year in tuition and room and board. By the time you earn your degree, you will have spent around $64,000. Most times, students are required to take out loans because financial aid does not cover the entire cost of schooling. With high interest rates on these loans, students are left with crippling debt. On top of the significant debt, students are required to take a variety of courses that are unrelated to their future career. So is there an alternative? Truck driver training can be completed in a matter of months, and costs a meager amount in comparison to college. Most trucking schools cost around $3,000-$7,000 in total. During CDL training, you will gain hands-on experience, over-the-road training and learn skills that you will use every day in your career. The best part? In a matter of months, you will start receiving a hefty paycheck, unlike in college where you have to wait 4 years just to get begin your career. 

Similar Salaries

According to a survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 4-year college graduates make an average salary of $50,556 per year. Similarly, glassdoor reports that the average entry-level salary for a truck driver is around $43,000. Not only are these salaries incredibly similar, truck drivers start earning a paycheck almost 4 years sooner than college graduates. Additionally, truckers are able to keep more of their paycheck each month because they don’t have student loans to pay back. As you become a more experience driver, you will have to opportunity to earn a higher salary up to $70,000 per year.

Not Your Average 9 to 5 Job

Finally, truck driving is not your typical job. The job setting is very laid back, and there is no dress code, so you won’t have to sport a suit and tie each day to work. Similarly, you won’t be stuck behind a computer all day. You are free to travel the open road and see different parts of the country. As you drive, you can sing along to your favorite CDs, listen to podcasts, and have plenty of time to think. Lastly, most companies pay for your gas, so you won’t have to put your entire paycheck into your gas tank for the commute back and forth to work each day. Hopefully now we have proved that you don’t have to go to a 4-year college in order to land a high paying career. Trucking school is another road to success.   Interested in truck driving school? Advanced Career Institute offers hands-on Class A CDL Training. Our campuses are located in Fresno, Visalia and Merced. To learn more about our CDL Training, check out Our Programs!