On this episode of Education Station on Road Gang Radio, host Jimmy Mac is joined by Chico McCollum, CDL instructor at Bishop State Community College, for a wide-ranging conversation about how truck drivers are really trained—and why mindset, rhythm, and community matter as much as skill.

Chico gives a behind-the-scenes look at Bishop State’s career technical education programs, including CDL training, diesel technology, and skilled trades, and explains how community colleges respond directly to local workforce needs. From first-time students in their 50s to younger drivers with industry exposure, Chico breaks down how instructors adapt teaching styles to meet students where they are.

Topics include:

Why trucking education is about rhythm, patience, and syncopation

Teaching drivers to back better than they drive forward

Building classroom community and teamwork among students

Adapting instruction for beginners and experienced students

Why repetition and real-world backing matter

Preparing drivers psychologically for life on the road

Using all five senses to understand a truck’s health

The importance of humility, curiosity, and passion in instructors

How CDL training connects students to long-term careers—not just licenses

This episode highlights trucking as both a profession and a lifestyle, and why great instructors focus on confidence, calm, and continuous learning—not shortcuts.

Learn more about Bishop State Community College and CDL training:

https://www.bishop.edu

Thanks for tuning in! You can catch our shows and segments anytime on your favorite podcast app or listen live on YouTube, Facebook, iHeart, and RadioNemo.com!

On this episode of Education Station on Road Gang Radio, host Jimmy Mac is joined by Missy Blair, M.Ed., Academic Director at Pima Community College’s Center for Transportation & Logistics, for an in-depth conversation about CDL training reform, education standards, and what real driver preparation should look like.

The discussion centers on recent FMCSA enforcement of the Training Provider Registry (TPR), which has resulted in thousands of CDL training providers being removed from the registry. Missy explains why this enforcement matters, how self-certification created gaps in training quality, and why safety—not speed—must remain the priority.

Key topics include:

Why over 6,000 CDL training providers have been removed from the FMCSA registry

The difference between competence, proficiency, and reflexivity in driver training

Why “24-hour CDL” programs undermine safety and transparency

How legitimate programs balance time, quality instruction, and workforce demand

The role of partnerships between carriers and training institutions

Instructor recruitment challenges and the need for experienced drivers in education

Curriculum improvement, simulators, and hands-on learning

Tracking student outcomes and why accountability matters

Missy’s outlook on CDL training, logistics education, and industry reform in the new year

This thoughtful, candid conversation highlights the real work being done by educators, regulators, and industry leaders to raise standards and create the next generation of safe, professional drivers.

Learn more about Pima Community College’s CDL program:

https://pima.edu/driver

Thanks for tuning in! You can catch our shows and segments anytime on your favorite podcast app or listen live on YouTube, Facebook, iHeart, and RadioNemo.com!

On this episode of Road Gang Radio – Education Station, host Jimmy Mac sits down with Jane Jazrawy of CarriersEdge to explore what proper driver training really looks like in today’s trucking industry.

As regulators take a closer look at CDL schools and ELDT programs, Jimmy and Jane break down how training models have evolved, why many carriers are stepping away from running their own CDL schools, and what separates a “training mill” from a truly effective program. The conversation dives into fleet culture, turnover myths, school-to-carrier partnerships, and how realistic expectations about life on the road can make or break a new driver’s success.

They also discuss:

The future of CDL reform and ELDT expansion

Why culture starts during training—not orientation

Carrier-run schools vs. partnerships with CDL and vocational schools

Reducing turnover through transparency and preparation

Innovative ideas like bridge programs and shared instructors

What trucking companies and schools can do better for new entrants

If you care about the future of driver education, fleet culture, and building a stronger trucking workforce, this is a must-listen conversation.

Learn more about Jane’s work at CarriersEdge:

https://www.carriersedge.com