OMAHA – Students from across the region took home honors in the ninth annual CDL Truck Driving Championship held recently at Metropolitan Community College’s Applied Technology Center here.

The CDL Student Truck Driving Championship challenged truck driving students to demonstrate driving and vehicle inspection skills with various driving maneuvers. Thomas Dow, Norfolk, a student in Northeast Community College’s truck driving program, took third place in the driving competition.

The competition includes maneuvering a standard 72’ long rig around and to within bare inches of obstacles set up on a course, as well as a full vehicle inspection.  This year, there was a three-way tie for third place and the winner was determined by the driver that was able to complete the course the quickest.

Dow is employed by Alter Corporation in Norfolk, according to Ed Lewis, Northeast truck driving instructor.

“All of my graduates have many job opportunities available. I have way more employers asking for way more drivers than what I am able to provide to them. It is definitely a driver’s market and my students will have their choice on jobs.”

Lewis will be leading another intensive six week Professional Truck Driving course beginning in early June at Northeast. In this course, students will learn to operate articulated vehicles in a training environment that includes driving on city streets, two-lane, and interstate highways. The program includes 240 contact hours, 44-plus hours of behind the wheel training and 190 hours of classroom, lab, and observation.

Students will also go for night drives and long runs. To register, or for additional information, call Northeast Community College at (402) 844-7000.