Driven to Success

Before earning his CDL through John Wood Community College’s Truck Driver Training (TDT) program, Luke Lish worked long hours in a warehouse. After working 13 days in a row, he and his wife were in the car driving behind a semi when Luke said, “I bet I could get in that truck, be home more, and make twice as much money.”

With the support of his wife and his workplace, Luke started John Wood’s TDT program, eventually graduating in 2007.

“I didn’t feel like I just got my CDL; I was ready to be a truck driver. Many schools offer that you can ‘get your CDL in 24 hours,’ but what do you actually learn? JWCC gave me a lot of knowledge about the business. The things I learned prepared me for the real-life workforce. John Wood has the equipment that you are going to see out in the workforce and they have knowledgeable instructors.”

Now working at McNay as a Training Director and Safety Manager, Luke values getting to teach others the trade. Knowing the opportunities in his industry, he says, “You don’t have to be gone for weeks at a time. There are plenty of jobs where you can be home every night.”

When asked what he would tell someone considering John Wood’s TDT program, Luke sums it up nicely: “Eight weeks of training and you’re on a career path to make good money!”