Transport Training Institute students to compete in Driving Rodeo

Eight students from Ozarks Technical Community College’s Transport Training Institute will demonstrate their driving skills for their instructors, peers and families at a Driving Rodeo on Thursday, June 18, at 11:30 a.m.  The competition will take place at the program’s facility at Price Cutter Park in Ozark.

Held during the fourth week of each five-week training program, the competition involves three driving skill tests, with a fourth maneuver prepared in case of a tie.

“What we look to accomplish from this is to see how the students are progressing, while giving them a chance to show off what they have learned,” explained Stan Kasterke, lead instructor at the Transport Training Institute. “We have found that the students’ scores in the rodeo are usually within a couple of points of what they will score when they do the driving exam to get their CDL.”

The Transport Training Institute trains commercial truck drivers for immediate job placement through a unique program developed by OTC’s Center for Workforce Development, in partnership with leaders in the Southwest Missouri truck driving industry.  The program, which is held at Price Cutter Park in Ozark, has turned out approximately 130 commercial truck drivers since its inception in April of 2007.  For more information on the Transport Training Institute, call (417) 447-8901 or visit www.otc.edu/workforce.