The Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI) recently reached a milestone: 20 years of certifying courses at entry-level truck driver training schools across the United States and Canada.
“I have to believe that the things we did and the current methods of truck driver training schools as a result of the standards we put together have led to improved, safer drivers out there, and this began with the PTDI,” said Ed Kynaston, who served as the organization’s first president when the Professional Truck Driver Institute of America was incorporated in 1986.
At that time, Kynaston said, “In some states you didn’t even have to prove you could drive a truck; you could apply for a driver’s license by mail.”
Much has changed since then. Despite the lack of a federal ruling regulating industry standards for entry-level drivers, many in the industry have turned to PTDI. Robert McClanahan, director at Central Tech Transportation & Safety Education, who has served on the PTDI board since 1996, said, “In my 14 years of involvement, I have seen PTDI improve by continuing to review and revise standards, keeping up with training and technology changes that have come up over the years, and making sure we are right there as an industry with standards.”
McClanahan said 2010 marks the 20th anniversary of PTDI course certification for Central Tech.
Based in Drumright OK, Central Tech received PTDI course recertification in December, as did the Center for Employment Education, Anchorage AK; and SAGE Technical Services, Billings MT. In addition, the fourth Baker College in Romeo MI received initial course certification.
The PTDI board recently completed the first comprehensive review of the Entry-Level Skill, Curriculum and Certification standards.
