Construction Truck Driver
Are you 18 years of age or older and looking for an exciting career in Construction Truck Driving?
Effective December 17, 2021 - Applicants can be 17 years or older to apply for this program. However, you must turn 18 years of age by the date noted on the application at the time of the announced opening.
Teamster Construction Drivers drive a variety of construction industry trucks, from commonly recognized tractor-trailers to tractors with flatbeds or lowboy trailers, mixer trucks, end dump or side dump trucks, fuel trucks, and water trucks to the job site crew bus. There are a variety of tractor/truck and trailer combinations and straight trucks. It’s not just about driving trucks, it also includes operating the implements on some, such as dragging the fuel hose, attaching the mixer chutes, and strapping or chaining down equipment or commodities to name a few. It’s not hard work if you work smart but you will get dirty, wet and maybe a little cold! However, we often say there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad gear so be well prepared.
What we do not do is operate heavy equipment such as dozers, excavators, etc.
We do not provide training for the sake of training. When we accept you into our program we train you to place you into our construction workforce to meet the needs of the Alaska Teamsters Local 959 Union employers who are building Alaska.
We are looking for dedicated individuals who want to start a career in the construction driver industry and who understand that not only is there a three-year commitment to the apprenticeship program but a lifelong career path as a journey worker in the same industry.
This commitment is anticipated to be 10 years or more.
Our motto is, “Training Alaskans for Tomorrows Workforce”.
Program Overview
We highly encourage applicants to participate in the free interview workshops at the DOL Job Centers. Do your homework about the program and type of work. Be sure you understand this industry and it is what you are interested in.
Application Process
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There will be a 30-day announced notice of the apprenticeship opening.
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At the end of that announcement, there will be a 10-business day application acceptance period.
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After the deadline, all applications will be reviewed for eligibility.
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Those that are deemed eligible will then be notified by mail of the interview date and time.
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Those ineligible will also receive a notice by mail of their status.
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Those who are eligible will be required to respond to the interview notice confirming they wish to be interviewed.
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Those who do not will be removed from the eligibility list. Interviews are conducted in person in Anchorage unless otherwise noted.
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Applicants who are interviewed and selected for the program will be notified by telephone and mail.
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At that time, you're required to obtain your DOT Medical Certificate, DOT UA, and complete a Post Offer General Health and Occupational History (Depending on location and provider these four combined fees are typically $250).
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Once you obtain the DOT Certificate, we receive Negative test results for both substance tests, and the results of the POHQ; you will then be required to complete a post-offer pre-placement Functional Fit Test performed by our affiliate clinic.
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Upon successful completion of this test, an official offer of acceptance into the training program will be made and you will be notified for the Orientation Day.
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COSTS & FEES:
You may be eligible for assistance or a grant from the Department of Labor for the fees and other associated training costs. Be sure to start that process right away as it could take 30 to 60 days to determine your status.
Apprenticeship CDL Training.
The apprenticeship 6-Week Basic Driver Training, CDL A course is through our wholly subsidiary; Center for Employment Education (CEE). Successful completion of this program is required to be indentured into the Construction Driver Apprenticeship.
There are additional costs for CDL training related fees (These can vary if a person already has a commercial learners permit or CDL B license).
Due the first week of class:
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Book fee of $75.00
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DOT Substance Test: $70.00
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CDL permit (CLP) fee of $15.00 is payable directly to DMV. *You can obtain your CLP-IA Permit prior to class. NOTE: You must have one of the documents as required by State of Alaska DMV when you go to obtain your CDL Permit. http://doa.alaska.gov/dmv/akol/cdl/commercial-learner-permit.htm
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TWIC Fingerprint & Background Check of $125.25 is payable directly to TSA. Obtaining your TWIC includes your HazMat Endorsement (HME) background check when presented to DMV at the time of license issuance*You can obtain your background check prior to start of class. Pre-enroll to make an appointment at www.universalenroll.dhs.gov
Due the sixth week of class:
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CDL License Fee of $120.00 (first-time CDL) or $35.00 (CDL upgrade) is payable directly to DMV. NOTE: You must have one of the documents as required by the State of Alaska DMV to obtain your CDL license.
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State of Alaska - DMV Real ID Requirements: https://online.dmv.alaska.gov/RealIDChecklist/Home/Checklist#/
Additional Teamster industry training and credentials:
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The training for the additional Teamster industry specific courses and credentials for the apprenticeship program is at no cost, that is our investment in you and is approximately $20,000 for your first year in the program.
On Orientation Day of the CDA program, you will be required to sign-up with the Alaska Teamsters Local 959 to obtain your Start Date and Ledger #. That requires a $25.00 non-working dues payment. You will also need to maintain that monthly dues payment until you receive your first work dispatch. At that time a working dues structure will go into place.
Keep in mind there will be additional costs for appropriate work gear which can be an investment as well. We provide an outline of recommended gear to be prepared to go to the job site for the first time.
*These fees are the apprentice’s responsibility. On occasion there may be assistance available from other sources and is a case-by-case, individual qualification status (i.e.: DOL Job Centers & AK Native Corporations, etc.). We recommend you begin searching your options as soon as possible.
Training:
The length of training before an apprentice is eligible for work will also vary by the time of year and the needs of our employers. Training time is also unpaid. (*Veterans- VA benefits do NOT apply to the initial classroom training which is called Related Instruction.)
Only once you are dispatched to employment on-the-job learning. Individuals must be prepared to attend 11 weeks of consecutive training in Anchorage. If you are eligible for unemployment benefits, you can typically collect them during apprenticeship training. Other assistance may be available through the Job Centers on a case-by-case basis. Again, we recommend you check into those options as soon as possible.
All apprentices, regardless of previous training or existing CDL will attend the 6-week Basic Driver CDL-A course which meets the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) standards. It is vital to the program that each apprentice receives the same training and team building that comes with the program.
We have very high expectations of our apprentices, and it is possible to be canceled from the apprenticeship during the initial 6-week training program. There are several benchmarks you are required to meet along with a minimum 80% GPA. However, even that is not a guarantee. It is still possible to be canceled anytime along the way during the initial 1,000-hour probation period. We are looking for individuals who are willing to make a commitment, work hard, and represent not only themselves but the Teamsters and all of our membership professionally.
Upon completion of the 6-week program, there are additional weeks of classroom and hands-on construction industry-related training. We even travel to Fairbanks for the Annual Arctic Joint Crafts Pipeline Training (travel and expenses for this two-week program are typically covered by the Teamsters through funding from the Fairbanks Pipeline Training Center & State of Alaska).
The intent is to have our apprentices trained to begin their careers for winter construction work on the North Slope. Work will likely start in late December or early January. Weather dependent!
Employment:
Work is assigned by the Apprenticeship Coordinator. You do not seek your own employment. Typical work seasons are:
Winter: January through March/April
• The winter work season can typically be 8 weeks straight - NO R&R, although some companies have a 6 on - 2 off schedule.
Summer: June through October
• Most summer schedules are 6 on - 2 off.
Work for this apprenticeship program is typically all North of Fairbanks along the haul road and on the North Slope. Some work may be in remote locations for projects however, it is typically not local in-town work.
Finances:
Due to the seasonality of construction work, it is very important that individuals have a solid plan for savings.
Even at a reduced apprentice wage you will likely begin making higher wages than you ever have and want to run out and buy new and expensive items (vehicles, homes, toys, etc.).
The key to success and surviving the highs and lows of construction is saving for those low periods of no work. We even recommend waiting until you've completed the program and become a journeyperson before making those big purchases. Even with an apprenticeship, it is possible to go several months without work.
Disqualifications:
We ask applicants to provide information about previous criminal convictions.
Not all incidents are automatic disqualifications, however, some are with regards to obtaining a Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME) for a CDL and/or TWIC card for access to some work zones as well as access to Military installations.
Please review the link for the automatic disqualifications for HazMat. Other offenses may be disqualifications due to employer policies. We look at these on a case-by-case basis. If you are unsure, before you apply, please contact us.