Central Fla schools: Roadmaster, TDI or others?
 

In central Florida I am considering Roadmaster, TDi or any other schools to begin my training. I am curious which would be a better choice. Many companies have said it doesn't matter, but i see that these same companies only recruit at certain schools. So I figure they dont wanna talk trash, but I'm hopin someone here can give an honest answer. Which school is going to prepare me better or give me the best options upon graduation?

no suggestions huh?
 

Well, in my WIA list of available courses i noticed Roadmaster gave me 160 hrs as opposed to TDI that gave me 154. Figure I may have to make up that 6 hrs somehow. I also like Roadmasters paved training lot, as oppossed to the gravel lot at TDI. Roadmaster is charging WIA $4195, TDI still wanted the $5995, but said it wouldnt charge me the $995 that WIA wont cover. So since ive gotten no input here I have chosen Roadmaster based on these things, as well as a few others....I appreciate it anyways, I will try to update this as I go thru school...(pending WIA approves me).

I went through Roadmaster up in Jacksonville back in '99. It seemed okay, as I did obtain my license but just remember that they are going to teach you the basics of operating that truck, inspecting it, manuevering it, and how to properly log. Your subsequent trainer will further continue your education and should release you with confidence that you aren't going to get out here on your own and fail to do your job properly without direct supervision. It's a constant, never-ending cycle of learning regardless of how many years experience you accumulate out here :wink:.

What do the schools cost now?

Maybe a little late but did you check out Mid Florida Tech?It's located in Orlando near Universal Studios, the course is 8 weeks or 320 clock hours and costs about $1900.


[/url]http://www.mft.ocps.net/

http://www.mft.ocps.net/programs/transportation.htm#cada[url] Syllabus you can download with course discription.

Might want to check out Central Florida Community College's Commercial Vehicle Driving Course. They have a day and night course that runs for 5-weeks at 40hrs/week and costs $2911 for in-state students.

I keep seeing this WIA, can someone tell me what that is?

Workforce Investment Act. It is a federal program administered by the state. If you qualify it will pay a portion or all of your CDL training. You have to be pretty destitute to qualify for it though. In Indiana, it will pay $2500 toward training. It takes a long time to get approved in most cases. It is a gov't grant, hence a lot of red tape.

Mid Florida Tech is good, Better Training

I went to Washington-Holmes Vo Tech in Chipley,FL as i had relatives who lived there.

$900 back in 1997 and was 8 weeks long, vo techs usually give the best training.

Central florida c.c., flagler schools, and mid- florida which is orange county schools all offer similar training for the price. They are not p.t.d.i. accredited but good programs to keep you safe. Dont expect w.i.a. money to be available in alot of florida counties. People wanting to extend thier unemployment etc. drained the money and did not get driving jobs or were unqualified in the first place.