CAREER TRAINING RESOURCES

Advanced Career Institute has been in business for over 30 years. We have grown to five campuses that provide students in California and Nevada with the best training as they work toward getting their CDLs and welding certifications. Learn about each of our campuses and find the perfect one for your needs.

Visalia CDL Training and Welding Training

The ACI Visalia campus is our oldest campus, having been open since 1993. However, it has recently moved to a new state-of-the-art facility in 2022. The new Visalia campus is located at 1243 N Clancy St, Visalia, CA 9329, and offers students both CDL and welding training courses. The complete list of the courses provided at Visalia is Class A CDL training, Advanced Class A CDL training, CDL refresher training, Agricultural Transportation training, and advanced welding training. The new Visalia campus provides students access to the four-acre truck driving yard and our 5,000 sq. ft. welding lab.

Fresno CDL and Welding Training

Our Fresno campus, located at 2953 S. East Avenue, Fresno, California 93725, was the second campus we opened in July 2000. When we opened our Fresno campus, welding also joined our programs list. As of 2022, the programs offered at our Fresno campus are Class A CDL training, Advanced Class A CDL training, Agricultural Transportation training, and Advanced Welding training.

Merced CDL Training

Due to increased student demand, we opened our Merced campus in March of 2015. Our Merced campus is at 1741 Ashby Rd, Suite B, Merced, CA 95348. The Merced campus offers Class A CDL training, Advanced Class A CDL training, CDL refresher training, and Agricultural Transportation training. Merced helps us reach all students in the Valley and give them the best Commercial truck driver training possible.

Bakersfield CDL and Welding Training

ACI Bakersfield is one of three campuses offering both CDL training and welding courses. Our Bakersfield campus is located at 2925 Mosasco St., Unit B, Bakersfield, CA 93312, and has been open since 2018. Our CDL training programs include our Class A CDL training, Agriculture Transportation training, Advanced Class A CDL training, and a CDL refresher course. Our Bakersfield campus also offers ACI’s advanced welding training, our 38-week welding certification course.

Las Vegas CDL Training

In 2020 we opened the ACI Las Vegas campus using our over 30 years of knowledge in the trucking industry to provide the best training in the North Las Vegas area for our students. We opened our Las Vegas campus at 4020 E Lone Mountain Rd Suite 100 North Las Vegas, NV 89081; it became our fifth campus. The Las Vegas campus offers Class A CDL training, Advanced Class A CDL training, CDL refresher training, and Agricultural Transportation training. Students that attend our Las Vegas will have access to our four-acre paved training yard and new upgraded classrooms.

Come to ACI to be trained by the best staff in California! Contact us today to reserve your seat at one of our campuses.

Big news at ACI! We have officially moved into our newly built Visalia campus! Our new campus is located at 1243 N Clancy St. Visalia, CA 93291. Our upgraded facility has improved CDL training and welding facilities, allowing students to further their careers in a new state-of-the-art learning environment.

CDL Training at our Visalia, CA Campus

Our CDL training facilities have grown! Our 4-acre training yard is freshly paved and painted. Our students have plenty of room to practice all backing maneuvers and get comfortable operating a commercial vehicle. Our new driving range allows 7 to 8 trucks on the yard at once, with multiple students simultaneously practicing different parts of training. ACI’s new Visalia campus has dedicated spaces to practice pre-trip inspections, different driving techniques, and classrooms for students to study. These classrooms have been upgraded with the latest education technologies to allow students a modern learning environment. We have also added a new covered, outdoor lunch area when students are ready for a much-deserved break. We are ecstatic about the opening of our new campus, and can now train anywhere between 75 and 85 students at any given time.

Welding Training at ACI’s Visalia Campus

Students are given a warm welcome to the brand-new welding lab at our Visalia Campus. The state-of-the-art welding lab is 5,000 sq ft. Welding students have dedicated areas to practice the various welding techniques required to receive their American Welding Society certification. Our new space has increased ventilation and private welding bays for each student to focus individually on mastering their craft. Same as our CDL students, welding students also have access to our upgraded classrooms and have a dedicated space to learn about blueprint reading, construction math, and site/shop safety. With ACI’s new welding lab and our four-class schedules, there can be 100 welding students at our facility on any given day!

Student-centered Improvements

Students' success is important to us at ACI, and our new Visalia campus has our student's success at its core. Students can expect an improved experience from start to finish. We have upgraded our front office spaces so that new and current students can quickly and easily find the help they need. Our admissions staff have private offices to help you find your perfect training path and our job placement team has a dedicated space to help you find the perfect job after graduation from Advanced Career Institute. Student lounges and a spacious kitchen area give students a space to relax and feel at home while training at ACI.   Are you ready to experience all that our new Visalia campus can offer? If so, contact us today at 877-649-9614 to get started!  

For many, the holiday season drums up memories of large food spreads, festive decorations adorning businesses and homes alike, and unwrapping gifts of all sizes. But have you ever stopped to think about how those items arrived in your hands just in time for your special celebration? Professional truck drivers play a large part in that process. They transport goods from turkeys to holiday trees and everything in between. These men and women sacrifice spending this special time with their loved ones to ensure our gatherings go off without a hitch. Now more than ever, it's important to show them how thankful we are for their service. Keep reading to see different ways you can thank a professional driver during this time of giving!

Thank A Driver with a Home Cooked Meal

Drivers have limited home-cooked meal options while on the road, meaning they often eat typical truck stop snacks or fast-food items. To show appreciation for the hard work they are providing this season, you can opt to share your own turkey spread! Alternatively, there are many organizations, such as Meals for 18 Wheels, where you can volunteer to deliver ready-made meals to drivers. Whichever you choose may seem like a small sentiment, but truck drivers will for sure be very grateful!

Show Thanks by Picking Up the Check

If your celebrations happen at a restaurant or diner, check if any drivers are also enjoying a meal. If so, you can offer to cover their bill. You could even invite them to join in your festivities, as many of them are away from their own celebrations and traditions. Truck drivers can provide great company and interesting conversations, as they encounter something new every day that they're driving across the country. And to think, all of that could begin with a small kind gesture of gratitude!

Spread Holiday Cheer with Thank-You Themed Goody Bags

A great way to get the whole family involved is to set up a goody bag creation station to pass out to drivers you encounter throughout the season. The bags can be filled with travel-size essential items, grab-and-go snacks, or holiday-themed décor they can use to spruce up their trucks. You might also want to include a themed greeting card that everyone can sign. The best part – these items can be purchased at your local dollar store! Once all the bags are filled, make sure to keep them somewhere that can be easily accessed to hand out, such as your car. This inexpensive gift idea can have the biggest impact on a driver’s day!

Post on Social Media Using the #ThankATrucker Hashtag

Social media has become a very popular way for drivers to keep in touch with their family and friends. This gives you the perfect opportunity to show your thankfulness to drivers, and best of all – it's free to do! Before you post, make sure to include the hashtag #ThankATrucker so your message can reach even more drivers than you thought possible! You can also repost messages from others who are using the hashtag to spread their positive sentiments. Lastly, you can ask your friends or followers to also create a caption with the hashtag and help spread good messages to all drivers!

Truck Drivers Thank Advanced Career Institute

While everyone is thanking our heroes of the road, truck drivers are also showing their gratitude to those who helped them get where they are today. Advanced Career Institute has received many heartfelt messages of thanks and appreciation from our graduates who underwent our CDL training program and have gone on to create successful and lucrative driving careers with our trucking partners. Many graduates share their stories with us online, but some make sure to stop by their campus in person. Drivers also make sure to stop by our Job Placement program offices to pass along their gratitude to those who helped get the ball rolling toward their new careers.

Let ACI help you begin your new driving career! Fill out the form on this page or give us a call at 866-218-7968 to get your spot reserved in our next class!

Welding is exciting. There’s nothing quite as exhilarating as powering on your torch and watching the sparks fly ablaze while you meld together whatever material is in front of you. Eventually, the individual pieces of metal you began with are now a single product, conceived by the influence of your own hands. It’s surely a satisfying process to complete; there’s no wonder why many seek to turn the craft into a professional career. With proper training, anyone can pick up the skills needed to do just that. But how do you know if the trade is the right fit for you? What makes a good welder? Here are a few insights into what it takes to find success in welding.

Welding Might Be the Career for you if…

1. You prefer physical work over sitting at a desk: Welding is a hands-on craft that is very much about physical labor. There’s a good chance you’ll never get to sit back in a cushy desk chair while on the job.
2. You don’t want to attend college or university but still want a fulfilling career: A 4-year college degree isn't usually a requirement for finding success in welding. Additionally, welding certifications tend to be more affordable and quicker to complete. You can finish  ACI’s Advanced Welding Course in just 38 weeks!
3. Job sustainability is important to you: Welding jobs are always in demand. In fact, the manufacturing of more than 50% of U.S. products involves welding. This line of work is unlikely to go away any time soon, so professionals can remain confident in their ability to find their next project.
4. An outdoor work environment appeals to you: Many jobs will require working in outdoor conditions. Hence, you should be sure you can handle the sun and fresh air all day if you’re considering this profession.
5. You are interested in different industries: There are various opportunities for those who complete their welding training. A few industries you could work in include Construction, Automotive, Electric, Aerospace, Agriculture, Manufacturing, and many others.
6. You like to travel: Welders are sought after all around the world. Furthermore, welding practices stay fairly consistent across borders, so travel enthusiasts can easily take on stints while on the go.
7. You don’t mind working for long periods: Oftentimes, projects can keep you on your feet for hours at a time. Both mental and physical endurance is important for welders to perform at their best.

Characteristics of a Successful Welder

Anyone can become a professional welder with the right training and work ethic, but some traits can help aspiring tradespeople get farther ahead in their field:

1. Detail-oriented
2. Self-motivated
3. Knowledgeable in a variety of skills
4. Has a solid understanding of the tools and equipment used on the job
5. Keeps up to date on the latest industry news
6. Puts safety first
7. Capable of problem-solving
8. Knows how to read blueprints and understands the role of welding in a project
9. Understands the math and science behind their craft
10. Has good interpersonal skills

It takes versatility and skillfulness to find true success in welding. Nevertheless, if you are a good fit, it can become a rewarding career with plentiful opportunities. Advanced Career Institute can take individuals with little to no experience and turn them into highly qualified workers ready for professional careers. We are proud to offer hands-on training that prepares students to obtain American Welding Society (AWS) performance qualifications and entry-level welding jobs.

If you are ready to start your welding career, contact us today!

A recent study by Continental Tires revealed that 34% of fleet drivers regularly ride on underinflated tires. Continental’s survey pointed to a lack of driver knowledge about the risks of driving on underinflated tires and a lack of education on how to monitor and maintain tires as a culprit of this. This is epitomized by the survey’s other finding that only 50% of fleet drivers know the optimal inflation level for their tires. In an attempt to combat this problem, here are some of the risks associated with driving on underinflated tires and some measures that truck drivers can take to ensure this does not happen.

Risks of driving on underinflated tires

Reduced Traction and Poorer Steering -Underinflated tires will not grip the road as well as tires that are fully inflated. This means that vehicles can be more challenging to steer, particularly in wet conditions or driving on imperfect road surfaces. This presents a real danger to road users. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, there are around 33,000 accidents each year due to tire-related issues. Underinflated tires are one of the most commonly cited issues of this kind. Increased Chance of Tire Blowout- When a tire is underinflated, pressure from the road transfers from the supple tread of the tire to the more brittle tire sidewall. As the tire’s sidewall is not designed to take such pressure, this can lead to tire blowouts. A sudden blowout on a highway can be very dangerous. Blowouts are estimated to cause 2,000 accidents each year in the US. Furthermore, blowouts can also lead to long periods of driver downtime and mess up schedules. Poorer Fuel Economy - Low tire pressure increases the amount of friction there is between the tire and the road. This means that it takes more fuel to move a vehicle at the same speed than when tires are properly inflated. Although this may not affect a driver too much, improving fuel economy is one of the biggest priorities of fleet managers and operators. This is because fuel consumption typically takes up 60% of a fleet’s total operating costs.

How can Truck Drivers Ensure their Tires are Always Fully Inflated?

Knowing your tire inflation specifications - Given that 50% of truck drivers do not know the pressure that their tires should be inflated at, just knowing this basic information will help you be more responsible about your tires than most of your colleagues. You can find out your truck’s optimal tire pressure by looking at the vehicle’s driver manual. Generally recommended tire pressure is between 35-40 PSI, but this can vary from truck to truck. Measure your Tire Pressure at Least Once a Month - Since some air will always be leaking out of tires, it’s essential to check your tire pressure at least once every four weeks. You can measure tire pressure with a tire pressure gauge. This tool costs less than $15 and is small enough to be kept in your truck’s glove compartment. As the heat caused by driving (particularly highway driving) causes tire pressure to increase, you should always measure your tire pressure when your tires are “cold.” A “cold” tire has not been driven on for at least 2 hours. Although most trucks will be fitted with a tire pressure monitoring system, this will only alert you when a tire has deflated below 25% of its optimal pressure. This is far beyond the point where steering and fuel economy are affected, so it’s well worth regularly measuring tire pressure manually.

Keep an Eye out for Outerwear on your Tires

If you drive underinflated tires for an extended time, the outer edges of your tire will wear faster than the middle of the tread. This is because more pressure is exerted on the outside of tires when underinflated. Remember, is why underinflation can lead to blowouts. We can often feel outerwear if we run our hand over the tread of our tires. You should be able to notice the tactile sensation of tire treads being shallower on the outside of the tread than in the middle. If this is the case, then it’s worth measuring your tire pressure to see if tires are underinflated, as well as being more diligent with keeping your tires inflated in the future. - Written by Mike Skoropad

Updated June 2025 Welding can be an extremely exciting career, but like with any hands-on job, it’s important to ensure safety during work hours. Welding poses serious hazards such as burns, electric shock, toxic fumes, and eye damage — all of which can lead to long-term health issues. With these in mind, it’s important to prioritize welding safety not only for the individual but also ensure a more efficient, compliant, and professional work environment. This blog will cover several points on how to put your safety first in the welding industry by talking about essential safety, daily tips, and long-term safety practices. Why Does Welding Safety Matter? To explain why you should always practice welding safety it’s important to know what can happen if someone doesn’t make this a priority. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, around 96 welders lose their lives each year due to workplace hazards. This could include burns, electrical shocks, or even amputation of fingers and toes. Welding safety isn’t just about your own personal safety, it’s also about the safety of those working around you as well. Ensuring that you’re following proper safety procedures for everyone in the workplace throughout your workday can create a safer, more efficient workplace. What Are The Most Important Welding Safety Tips? We’ve talked a lot about the bad things that can happen in the welding industry, but there are ways to prevent injury and fatalities in the workplace. From basic personal protective equipment tips to managing ventilation and toxic fumes, we’re going to give you a rundown of all of the ways to stay safe and enjoy your career in welding.

Wear the Right PPE

Personal protective equipment, or PPE, is extremely important for welders and will reduce the risk of injury in the workplace. It’s important to protect not only your eyes and face, but also your lungs, skin, and body from fumes, heat and electric shock. To ensure that you’re practicing safe welding, you’ll want to have the following pieces of protective equipment:

• Safety Glasses
• Face Shield
• Respirators & Fume Extraction Systems
• Long Heat-Resistant Gloves
• Ear Protection
• Rubber-Sole Boots

Maintain Your Equipment

Routinely checking the equipment being used can ensure that safety concerns are addressed, and workplace accidents happen much less. Even if the equipment was put back in working condition, that doesn’t guarantee it will remain safe. Keeping your area clean is also an important part of maintaining your equipment. This will allow your equipment to not only be safe but will also allow you to function better at your job.

Stay Aware of Your Surroundings

Being aware of your surroundings is a critical part of staying safe in any welding environment. Working in this field involves high temperatures, heavy equipment, flammable materials, and other workers operating nearby. All these things could present potential hazards for you. Staying alert and constantly scanning the area, welders can avoid several hazards:

• hot surfaces,
• trips and falls over cords and tools
• fire risks or gas leaks.

Awareness also means understanding where others are working, so you don’t accidentally endanger someone else. Practicing this situational awareness not only protects you but helps create a safer, more efficient workspace for everyone.

Practice Fire, Electrical & Ventilation Safety

Fire, electrocution, and toxic fumes are major hazards in the welding industry and are the leading causes of injury in the workplace. Maintaining safety precautions against these types of injuries is very important. One of the easiest ways to prevent fumes and gases from causing harm to welders is to ensure proper ventilation with fans and exhaust vents. It’s also pivotal to wear the proper PPE when working around harmful gases. When it comes to welding, fire and electricity are common tools but can be harmful if not used with the proper safety. In arc welding it’s important to remember that you’re using high voltage electrical equipment that can get extremely hot during the welding process. This means that wearing the proper protective equipment, keeping your station dry, and free of flammable materials are the best ways to prevent injury.   Welding is a rewarding and hands-on profession, but with that comes the responsibility of putting safety first – every single day. From wearing the right PPE and keeping your equipment in top shape to staying aware of your surroundings and respecting the risks of fire, electricity and toxic fumes, each step you take toward safety is a step toward a longer, healthier career. Practicing proper safety not only protects you but also builds a stronger, more reliable workplace for your team. When safety becomes part of your daily routine, you’re not just following rules – you’re shaping the future of the trade.   Interested in learning welding the safe, professional way? Let’s get you enrolled in our welding program! Contact us today to get started!