Please note: NCTDA makes no guarantees on jobs/ careers, per anti-bribery rules established by the Colorado Department of Higher Education.
If you’re interested in a CDL or a career in trucking, you’ve probably heard how in-demand drivers are and how easy it is to start a career after earning your license. Plenty of CDL programs have connections to careers for graduates, but in reality few of these careers align with the kind of work environment graduates need or want.
For most CDL grads, entering the trucking industry usually isn’t the hard part: it’s sticking with it. Many truck driving positions are Over-The-Road (OTR), meaning drivers spend weeks on the road and must adapt to a very different lifestyle than they’ve led before.
That’s why, despite investing in a CDL and getting a job right away, some 35% of drivers don’t make it 1 year in their first OTR job. And, despite investing in a talent pipeline, major trucking carriers report turnover rates of 90% or higher, as new drivers job-hop trying to find the company that offers them the best fit.
The Right CDL Job for You, Right Away
At Northern Colorado Truck Driving Academy, that fit is built in. We’ve spent years building a reliable network of exceptional regional employers so our graduates avoid the burnout and instability of OTR jobs while taking regional jobs with great benefits that keep them close to home.
Unlike many CDL schools, NCTDA has never recruited companies to hire CDL graduates. Over the past 26 years, local employers came to us because they were struggling to find qualified drivers. They hired NCTDA graduates, realized these drivers could operate equipment safely and confidently, and then continued coming back for more graduates.
Our reputation wasn’t built through contracts or recruiting agreements. It was earned by consistently producing well-trained, job-ready drivers.
Today, we maintain a referral network of more than 70 local employers that regularly contact us when they have openings. We never guarantee employment, but we do provide every graduate with access to this network and introductions to employers who have a proven history of hiring our students.
Not only that, but unlike many other CDL schools, our students are never obligated to work for a specific company; they remain free to choose the career path that best fits their goals and lifestyle.
CDL Job Placement Tailored to You
That’s a significant advantage. Some graduates want to be home every night. Others prefer construction, municipal work, utilities, or waste management. Some enjoy seasonal work, while others pursue specialized driving positions. Because we don’t have exclusive hiring agreements, our graduates can evaluate multiple opportunities and decide what works best for them.
Employers We Partner With
Our employer network primarily consists of local and regional companies in the following industries:
● Municipalities and city public works departments
● Waste management and environmental services
● Construction and heavy equipment companies
● Utility and energy providers
● Concrete and aggregate suppliers
● Building material and lumber suppliers
● Beverage and food distribution companies
● Fuel and propane distributors
● Landscaping and excavation companies
● Manufacturing and industrial suppliers
● Local freight and dedicated delivery fleets
These positions typically offer competitive pay, strong benefits, consistent schedules, and the opportunity to build a long-term career while living locally.
NCTDA: The CDL Program That’s Built For You
While other CDL programs offer job placement, the NCTDA placement process is built on reputation, not contracts. Employers seek out our graduates because they trust the quality of our training, and our students benefit by having dozens of career options instead of being tied to a single company. That freedom is one of the greatest advantages of training with us. If you’re thinking about a CDL license, contact NCTDA to get more information on our courses and employer network. We don’t just show you how to drive; we’re here to support what drives you.