Pave your way to a successful driving career through Kirkwood’s CDL program

Getting your Class B commercial driver’s license at Kirkwood Community College only takes one week — but the stability and success of a driving career have the potential to last a lifetime.

Stability is something Michael Georgi never knew until he obtained his Class B CDL at Kirkwood Community College. Georgi, a 46-year-old father of four, had struggled with substance abuse and homelessness throughout his life.

Last January, he checked himself into a substance abuse treatment program for the 12th time. Across the street from the treatment center was a homeless shelter Georgi frequented often. This was where Georgi learned from a bunk mate, who worked at Metro Pavers, that the company needed commercial drivers for a starting pay of $24 an hour.

Metro Pavers, a local, family-owned concrete paving company, has served Eastern Iowa since 1966. The company primarily works with cities, counties and the Iowa Department of Transportation on concrete surfaces like parking lots, sidewalks, roundabouts and highways, including the taxiways at the Eastern Iowa Airport. The company relies on skilled CDL drivers to operate large and heavy vehicles like cement mixers and dump trucks.

“We wouldn’t be open if we didn’t have CDL drivers,” said Tami Shaw, human resources manager at Metro Pavers. “Our main product is concrete, so we need them to haul it where it’s needed.”

Georgi thought it was too good to be true until he connected with Shaw, who presented him with a life-changing opportunity.

“I spoke with Tami and said, ‘Hey, I’m looking to make a major life change. What do I need to do? How do I get my CDL?’” Georgi said. That’s when Shaw referred him to Kirkwood Community College.

Kirkwood’s Class B CDL program is a 30-hour, one-week course that includes online theory instruction and in-person instruction at the college, which includes pre-trip, backing skills, behind-the-wheel road driving and testing for large and heavy vehicles. Kirkwood is accredited by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and their CDL programs follow Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements.

Kirkwood works closely with local employers like Metro Pavers, who offer incentive programs for people who want to obtain their Class B CDL. The college also offers full tuition assistance for those who need it.

“I’ve always wanted to get my CDL, but I thought it was going to cost me a lot of money, so I never really even thought it was possible,” Georgi said.

Support from Kirkwood and Metro Pavers made the impossible possible for Georgi. Specifically, he was blown away by the encouragement he received from the program’s instructors.

“Everyone’s so patient and experienced, which is important when you have people who have never driven big machinery,” he said. “They teach you the fundamentals, from the tires to the frame to the motor mounts, everything about it. I learned a lot.”

Clarence Ruby, lead instructor of Kirkwood’s CDL program, has been a commercial driver for more than 50 years and has taught at the college since 1988. Building strong relationships with his students — even if it’s only a week — is vital for not only their success, but the program’s as well.

“Every student has my personal cell phone number, and I do that at the beginning,” Ruby said. “I still get phone calls from them all the time. I still talk with students I taught over six years ago. Just because I was your instructor and taught you how to drive doesn’t mean that this relationship ends. If you need something, call me. I will do my best to help you out.”

Since obtaining his Class B CDL, Georgi has had his hands in multiple projects in Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Coralville and other cities in Eastern Iowa as a Metro Pavers employee. He’s remained sober and plans to obtain his Class A CDL.

“Holding a CDL is a privilege, and I don’t want to lose it,” Georgi said. “Me being the person that I am, I’m easily susceptible to falling off the wagon. But how everything planned out in the last year and a half, Kirkwood benefited me for the better.”

For more information on how you can obtain your commercial driver’s license, visit Kirkwood.edu/programs/continuing-education/driving/truck-driving or call 319-398-1022.