Desree Baldwin, a single mother of four with two granddaughters on the way, was already an experienced driver when she sought an improved career pathway from Goodwill. She held a Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and had driven school buses for Columbus City Schools for three years. Desiring to advance her career, Desree hoped to obtain a Class A CDL to drive semitrucks.
She learned about Goodwill’s Roads2Work training program through Facebook. Having already driven Class B vehicles like school buses and box trucks, Desree wanted to challenge herself to earn her Class A.
She enrolled in the Roads2Work program earlier this year, first completing her Career Fundamentals training. During this phase, she maintained A+ attendance and actively participated in class discussions.
In April, Desree began her training at Capital Transportation Academy where she continued to demonstrate A+ attendance. The training moved to practical, hands-on sessions where she learned to maneuver, back up, and park the trucks. Her cohort consisted of 10 students, attending four days a week, from 7 AM to 5 PM, for a six-week program.
Desree described her instructors as highly skilled, emphasizing their patience and thoroughness in answering all questions, particularly during on-road training. She noted the program’s encouragement of proactive participation, even for shy individuals, leading to better understanding.
Desree has successfully passed her pre-trip inspection for the Class A CDL, now focusing on the maneuverability section. She also recently began full-time employment with Jackson’s, using her Class B CDL to shuttle construction materials, marking a step up in her career.
Desree’s journey with Goodwill’s Roads2Work program is a testament to her unwavering ambition. With her Class A CDL within reach and a new full-time position utilizing her Class B CDL, Desree is not just driving trucks; she’s driving her life forward, creating a brighter future for herself and her family.
