On March 11, 2013, SCE&G completed placement of the nuclear island basemat for V.C. Summer Unit 2, the first new construction nuclear concrete to be poured in the U.S. in three decades. The project employed 20 concrete truck and 4 concrete pump trucks and poured 150 cubic yards of concrete per hour!

Driving a big rig means getting a commercial driver’s license and that takes a specific type of schooling. Three types of tractor trailer schools exist: motor training school, private school, and publicly funded school.

Motor Training School

Many companies hire truckers as part of doing business. Motor training schools often are a short term set up by a company or industry due to immediate business needs. Courses are not full blown versions since companies tailor courses to their specific needs for that year. Course development involves mostly hands on experience under the guidance of an instructor. For someone in the industry, the courses become an ideal way for breaking into the field of driving big rigs.

Private Trucking School

On the opposite end of the scale, private tractor trailer schools do teach trucking fully. Private schools are not tied to particular industries or agendas. Programs teach a variety of skills by instruction and by driving big rigs with an experienced driver present. A person should look for private schools that have been in business for some time. A few states regulate private trucking schools so check the records for violations or ratings.

Public Funded Trucking School

Check community colleges and vocational schools for trucking programs. State and federal government supports programs in an area where the needs are great for such skills. The training in these programs vary widely depending on the needs of the community. The schools may offer only courses in specific skills or a certification instead of a commercial driver’s license. An advantage is most will plug into local industry needs and so will indicate where professional tractor trailer drivers are hired.

Professional Truck Driving Institute

At its website the Professional Truck Driving Institute states it works to develop standardized skill performance, certification standards, and curriculum. The non-profit organization works with both schools and industry to develop quality driving courses to create high quality drivers. It gives lists by state which truck driving schools meet the high standards. Links lead to private training and community college training programs with costs and options noted.

Outlook

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook tractor-trailer drivers opportunities have a faster than average growth rate. For short distances no other mode of transportation is as efficient as trucks at hauling goods. Qualified long-haul drivers are at a shortage so companies are willing to hire those certified by high quality schools. General freight trucking firms hire the most drivers. Median wage was at $37,770. Payment in most industries is by how many miles driven which varies by employer. Of course hazardous material cargo pays more. A high school diploma, good hand and eye coordination, good general health and the ability to pass vision tests are the basic requirements for eligibility for a training program.

On the Road

Different companies have different expectations for drivers. In general, truckers unload and load cargo, find the best routes to deliver cargo, inspect their rig, and keep all equipment clean and in good working order. Trucking does often mean a lifestyle change since many drives require being away from home for days or even weeks. For those so inclined, trucking can become a great way to make a living.

Cole & Lambert sells concrete pump trucks & related machinery as well as provides useful information in the fields of construction, concrete, and machinery operation.

Aaron Shorts is a specialist in Allight Light Towers and frequently reports on the mining industry.

Many people do not realize the vast amounts of different styles of concrete trucks. Each design has its own special purpose and operates in its own way. Each job that requires a concrete truck will have special needs, and these vehicles have filled this need since they were first created by Gebhardt Jaeger. Since then there have been various models created, each with a distinct style and use. Read More

This is a guest contribution by the folks of Elite Concrete Restoration, Inc.

The foundation of a home or building structure can fail because water in the surrounding soil is a constant pressure on basement and foundation walls, naturally creating a source for cracks in the concrete. Concrete restoration is a better alternative than a new pour, as it is cheaper, faster and less uncertain than your full concrete services. Read More

Operating a concrete pump truck requires skill and knowledge. Because of the sheer size of these vehicles and pumping equipment, diligence is always required. There are a number of things that concrete pump truck operators should consider before and during operation. There are also a number of general rules that can help you be safe. Read More

If you are in the concrete construction industry, you will often have potential clients ask you about the benefits of building a home made out of concrete instead of wood. Well, our concrete experts have gathered some solid facts about the many advantages of Outer Banks home construction with the use of concrete that you can share with your own customers. From concrete pump trucks to parts for your concrete equipment, you can rely on the experts at Cole & Lambert to help you with your business. Read More

As your concrete construction business continues to grow, it can become a time consuming chore to keep track of the location of concrete equipment, concrete pump trucks, scheduling repair and maintenance, and even which employee is assigned to a specific piece of equipment or job. With the variety of equipment tracking software available to the construction industry today, keeping track of equipment and job assignments has become manageable and fairly easy. This week, Cole & Lambert would like to show you how this software will greatly benefit your concrete construction company. Read More

As we have discussed before, it is important to follow proper safety procedures when working with concrete pump trucks and other concrete equipment.

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Having a solid insurance policy to protect your concrete construction business is just as important as taking the right safety precautions on the job site. Insurance policies cover everything from your concrete pump trucks to workers’ compensation, and they can prevent your business from complete failure in the event of any unforeseen incident.

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When operating or working around concrete pump trucks and all other types of concrete equipment, it is important that the safest practices are being used on the jobsite. The American Concrete Pumping Association has a safety store, where your concrete or construction company can find all kinds of helpful products about safety standards for your workers. From certification training guides to safety stickers, they have it all. It is also useful to attend area seminars whenever possible to ensure that you are up to date on the newest safety practices.

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