CAREER TRAINING RESOURCES

Due to recent legal issues, some truck driving companies may begin to increase their regulations for sleep apnea. Various carriers throughout the country may begin requiring truck drivers to participate in sleep apnea screening in the near future.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is extremely common, and tends to show up more in men than in women. According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, sleep apnea is when a person stops breathing involuntarily while they are asleep. These periods of lost breath can last for over a minute and can occur hundreds of times each night without the person’s knowledge. Growing obesity rates in the truck driving industry, have left drivers more disposed to acquiring sleep apnea. Truck drivers are prone to obesity because of the inability to exercise and unhealthy meal choices while on the road. The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea, OSA. One of the most obvious symptoms of sleep apnea is snoring. Snoring happens because the airway becomes blocked and the flow of air becomes obstructed causing vibrations to occur.

How is sleep apnea treated?

If you believe you may have sleep apnea, the first step is to talk with your doctor about getting a sleep apnea diagnosis from a sleep specialist. If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, the next step is CPAP Therapy. CPAP Therapy consists of a humidifier and a face mask to assist and guide your breathing. The CPAP machine pumps air with enough pressure to keep your airway clear.

What does this mean for truck drivers?

According to The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration FMCSA, reports show over 28 percent of truck drivers have sleep apnea. FMCSA explains that drivers with mild sleep apnea are still qualified for truck driving jobs. However, they recommend seeking medical attention with a medical examiner to determine a truck driver’s fitness to operate a motor vehicle. Disrupted sleep can decrease a truck driver’s cognitive function and can cause increased daytime sleepiness. This leads to more truck driving accidents. Drivers with sleep apnea are affected during working hours in terms of function and focus. Sleep apnea may lead to unsafe working environments and roads. Dr. James Metz, Doctor of Sleep Apnea for Metz Center in Columbus, Ohio, shared with Overdrive Magazine that he grew up around the trucking industry. He witnessed first-hand the unhealthy lifestyles of truck drivers. He sought out to work with fleets to promote healthy eating for truck drivers in the hopes of reducing chances of sleep apnea. Currently, many trucking companies are requiring truck drivers to get tested for sleep apnea. Oftentimes, this comes at the expense of the truck driver. However, since there is an ever-growing need for drivers, fleets may begin to work closely with drivers to help cover costs. Advanced Career Institute is a California and Nevada trucking school with campuses located in Visalia, Fresno, Merced, Bakersfield, and Las Vegas. ACI offers truck driver training to help students obtain their Class A CDL and Ag Transportation. ACI offers tuition assistance and job placement assistance to help CDL training graduates find a career in the truck driving industry. Interested in learning more about CDL Training with Advanced Career Institute, visit our website: www.advanced.edu.

Pets have now moved from the house to the road. Truck drivers are beginning to take their dogs and cats on the road with them. Studies show that having a pet on the road betters the health of truck drivers. A furry face helps to make long drives less lonely. It can be beneficial for truck drivers to bring their pets over the road. Taking pets for bathroom breaks and walks gives truckers much-needed exercise that they wouldn’t receive otherwise. It has also been noted that having a pet reduces stress and loneliness for truck drivers. Currently, there are various pet-friendly trucking companies. However, there are restrictions that come with bringing your pet over the road. Various trucking companies have weight restrictions, as well as pet deposits. However, many trucks are equipped with waste disposal areas inside the truck and pet areas in the terminals.

Are you currently trucking with your pet?

Omnitracs, a provider of fleet software management, is sponsoring a contest to recognize your furry friends! Both current and retired truck drivers are eligible to win! To be entered into the contest, post a picture with a description of why your Big Rig Buddy is the best truck-driving companion. Winners may receive up to $1,000 in gift cards to spoil their furry friend! The contest begins now and continues until Wednesday, August 23, 2017! Click here for more information or to submit your entry. When you finish your CDL training, you may have the opportunity to take your best friend on the road with you! Advanced Career Institute's truck driver training graduates are excited about the opportunity to start driving with their pets. Are you interested in earning your California CDL? ACI offers hands-on truck driver training to help students earn their Class A CDL or Ag Transport CDL. For more information on our CDL training programs, visit our website: https://www.advanced.edu/training-programs/california-truck-driving-school/.

Entry level welders have to figure out a way to make their resume stand out from the rest of the pack. The question is how to make your resume catch the eye of a recruiter and land an interview. The answer depends on the employer, but there are some common themes amongst the most successful entry level welding resumes.

Recognize What Welding Employers are Looking For

The best welding candidates are able to read and understand sketches and diagrams to determine the exact materials and operations needed for each welding project. It is not enough to know how to properly set up and maintain welding equipment. The candidate should know how to use an array of semi-automatic and manual welding tools. A candidate with additional skills, talents and knowledge will have a competitive edge. An example is the ability to use metal shaping machines or flame-cutting equipment. Let's take a look at some helpful resume tips for entry level welders.

Highlight Your Skills on Your Welder Resume

Use your welder resume to highlight the skills you are good at. If you understand the ins and outs of pipeline construction, structured fabrication, brazing, soldering, shop mathematics or blueprint interpretation, put it “above the fold” of your resume. This means your key skills should be listed in the upper half of your resume so they grab the attention of the recruiter.

Show Why You Are Better Than Other Candidates

Your resume will receive minimal attention unless you find a way to differentiate yourself from the competition. You can differentiate yourself either through the design or the way you talk about your skills and experiences. Try to avoid using a standard resume template you find online. Furthermore, using the same words and phrases as other entry level welding candidates will not separate you from the pack. Be as original and creative as possible without coming off as overly eccentric. Highlight your skills, certifications and relevant employment history in an artful manner and you will eventually land an interview.

Tailor Your Welder Resume for the Open Position

The entire purpose of your resume is to express why you are a solid match for the open position. Cater each resume to the job description of the position you are applying for and you will increase the odds of getting an interview.

Include Relevant Non-Welding Certifications

Non-welding certifications should be highlighted as long as they are relevant to the position's responsibilities. Examples of relevant certifications include OSHA training, first aid and certified rigger. Looking for more welder resume tips? Contact our job placement office today to set up a meeting and get personalized guidance! Open to all ACI students and graduates.

Once you have completed your trucking or bus driving education, it is time to find a job. However, this is easier said than done. Drivers and truckers fresh out of school may have a little difficulty finding work if they aren't prepared. If you want to be prepared so that you can find as much work as possible, read on.

What do employers look for beyond just a clean driving record?

Everybody knows that employers are looking for a clean driving record. However, they also want to see that you have completed education at a respectable school. Any experience you may have is also very important in the hiring process.

What are some ways to impress employers?

There are some things you can do to stand out when trying to get work. One of the best things to do is research the company thoroughly. Also, remember to dress professionally when going in for an interview.

What are important things to include in your resume?

The most important things to include in your resume are your training and experience. This is fairly obvious. However, there are other important things to include. You should include your other jobs, as the employers may be looking for certain areas of experience that drivers normally don't have.

Where are good places to look for driving jobs?

The best place to look for driving jobs in this day and age is the Internet. There are many jobs websites that have a lot of bus driving and trucking jobs listed. However, everybody is applying to these jobs. You may have a better chance if you use the contacts you made at your driving school to get work. If you want to learn more about search for trucking or bus driving jobs, contact our job placement department! We help all students and graduates find their next job opportunity.

Life on the road, much like other jobs, has its challenges. You'll have to balance a work schedule with parenting. However, becoming a truck driver comes with a lot of positives too. For instance, you can take the valuable lessons learned from your road experiences and share them with your kids. Lessons that apply to all areas of life.

Instill a strong work ethic

When on an assignment you are expected to be reliable, committed and have a respect for time. You have to pay careful attention to detail. People depend on you. Sharing these attributes with your kids will help them to grow up to have a strong work ethic. These are qualities they’ll be able to apply to schoolwork, sports and future jobs.

Teach important life skills

Kids can learn important life skills from their parents working in truck driving jobs. For instance, being on the road often brings the unexpected. You know you need to be flexible and adaptable on the job when things don't go as planned. Everyday life has its surprises and kids will need to know how to roll with the punches when it happens. You also have to show good judgment during your workday. Youngsters also need to make good decisions in school, on the playground, or in other situations as they become teenagers. You'll be teaching them the strategies needed to make good judgment calls. (Important skills to have, especially when peer pressure starts!)

Pass on good lifestyle habits

As a driver, you know it's important to stay healthy and get enough rest so you have the energy for those short and long hauls. You might even have to pass a health screening. Awareness of being fit is a good quality to pass on to your kids. They'll grow up knowing how to take good care of themselves. What’s more, following a healthy lifestyle is something you can do as a family too. It can be fun! Additionally, other talents gained from truck driving jobs that you can share with your kids include good communication skills and being friendly to others. These are life skills that will take them far, and they will have learned it all from you! Interested in a career that pays the bills and teaches you valuable lessons? Enroll in our Class A CDL training program today!

People may not believe it, but welding is a unique art form. Along with producing the welds and beads comes stress and frustration. The wrong material or the fluctuation of an arc can make a weld look knotty and somewhat sloppy. Many welders try extremely hard to produce smooth, even looking welds. The stress they experience during the performance of their job takes many forms. There are several welding stress relief mechanisms that are both effective and simple.

Maintaining the Same Position for a Long Period of Time

When completing a long bead, holding the same position can cause muscles to become tight and sore. In between welds, take a few minutes to stretch. Reaching toward the ceiling stretches the arms, legs, and back. Hand exercises will keep the fingers and wrist flexible. Stretching improves blood flow and keeps a person alert and focused.

Intense Concentration While Completing a Difficult Weld

Having to maintain strict focus for long periods of time can lead to headaches and eyestrain. Once every couple of hours, step away from the welder and take a few deep breaths. Closing the eyes and listening to music through headphones will help to unravel the mind and allow it to relax, even if only for a short period of time.

Measure Twice, Weld Once

One of the biggest stressors is making a mistake and having to scrap a piece of metal. Measure twice and take added precautions to ensure you have the exact specifications before you begin welding. This reduces the risk of a mistake and will eliminate much of the stress associated with precision projects.

Preventing Flash and Its Effects

Flash can occur on the hands, face, and arms. It is extremely painful and causes major stress when having to continue to weld in the heat. Before work, apply a thin layer of sunscreen and make sure it absorbs completely into the skin. Always check the helmet and safety glasses to make sure there is no way the bright flash can reach sensitive areas of skin. While it's easy to get caught up in work, don't forget to take care of yourself. Practicing these welding stress relief mechanisms will allow you to become a healthier, more productive welder.