Kay NewsCow | Central Tech addresses truck driver shortage with lower tuition at Pioneer Tech

DRUMRIGHT – Central Tech Truck Driver Training is stepping up to address the nationwide truck driver shortage and make life-changing careers more accessible by reducing the cost of its Class A CDL training program from $4,800 to $4,300.

This tuition reduction comes after college tuition and fees increased 2.6 percent according to the US Inflation Calculator. 

Rising costs of goods and services (CBS News), coupled with limited funding for short-term training programs like TDT, have placed additional strain on those seeking new career opportunities.

“Truck drivers are the backbone of our economy, delivering over 80 percent of the goods we rely on daily,” said John Thorpe, truck driver training director at Central Tech. “We know there are countless individuals who want to start a career in trucking but are held back by financial barriers. By lowering tuition, we’re removing one of those obstacles and helping more people achieve their goals while meeting the critical need for more truck drivers.”

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) estimates that the U.S. faces a shortage of approximately 60,000 truck drivers, a number projected to exceed 160,000 by 2030 if trends persist. This shortage highlights the importance of accessible training programs like Central Tech’s TDT, which can quickly prepare drivers to enter the workforce.

Central Tech’s TDT program offers comprehensive training in just 28 days, with a 99% placement rate and an average starting salary of $61,000. The program emphasizes safety and professionalism, providing over 60 hours of hands-on driving time with a two-students-per-truck model. After earning their CDL, students undergo an additional week of training that includes long day and night road trips, simulating real-world driving conditions.

As the statewide program for Oklahoma CareerTech, Central Tech delivers its TDT program at 14 locations across Oklahoma which includes Pioneer Technology in Ponca City,  Northwest Technology Center in Alva and Fairview, and Autry Technology Center in Enid.

“Reducing tuition is just one of the ways we’re committed to making trucking careers accessible,” Thorpe added. “It’s about empowering people to take control of their futures while also supporting an industry that’s vital to the economy.”

For more information about Central Tech’s Truck Driver Training program and how to enroll, visit TDT.centraltech.edu.