Patterson, California — High school seniors in California can now earn credentials behind the wheel before earning their high school diplomas, thanks to a pioneering vocational program at Patterson High School. Developed in direct partnership with Morning Star Trucking, the elective course gives students practical behind-the-wheel training paired with direct pathways to employment in the transportation sector. Dave Dein, who leads the supply chain and logistics program at the school, reports that roughly 60 other high schools across the country have already reached out to replicate the model.

Dein also serves as co-founder of the Next Generation in Trucking Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing younger workers into the freight sector. The curriculum is built around the strict standards established by the Professional Truck Driver Institute. Students enrolled in the course must complete 90 hours of classroom instruction alongside 90 hours of hands-on activities to graduate from the program.

The push to introduce commercial driving at the secondary education level comes as the commercial driving workforce continues to gray. Federal data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics pegs the median age of a commercial driver at 46. Meanwhile, the American Trucking Associations estimates that carriers will need to hire nearly one million new drivers over the coming decade to offset steady retirements and rising freight volumes.

What This Means for Drivers

Experienced OTR truck drivers and seasoned owner-operators have long dealt with high turnover and a persistent talent shortage across major fleets. Bringing structured CDL training into high schools introduces a steady, younger talent pipeline directly into trucking companies hiring entry-level workers. For current CDL-A holders, this shift could eventually alleviate some of the pressure on freight networks and terminal operations as fleets look to mentor the next wave of operators. Industry veterans should expect to see younger faces in the yard and at shipping docks as these school partnerships expand nationwide.

Industry Reaction

Industry educators emphasize that shifting public perception remains the biggest hurdle in attracting young candidates to commercial driving. Robert Behnke, director of truck driving at Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, Wisconsin, notes that changing the narrative around the job is essential for long-term workforce stability. Behnke stresses that commercial driving must shed outdated stereotypes of being a lonely, low-paying lifestyle and instead be marketed as a professional, diverse, and rewarding career path.

Key Points

• Patterson High School offers a senior elective course in commercial driving in partnership with Morning Star Trucking.
• The curriculum requires 90 hours of lecture and 90 hours of hands-on training built on Professional Truck Driver Institute standards.
• Roughly 60 high schools nationwide have expressed interest in starting similar driver training programs.
• The American Trucking Associations estimates the industry needs nearly one million new drivers over the decade.

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