Bus and Truck Driver Training

The bus and truck driver program at Bates Technical College prepare students for careers as professional truck drivers, bus drivers and other professional delivery drivers. The program focuses on applying technical knowledge and skills to drive trucks and buses, delivery vehicles, and other commercial vehicles. Program courses include: operating gas/diesel and electrically-powered vehicles, loading and unloading cargo and passengers, reporting delays or accidents on the road, arranging transportation for personnel, and keeping records of receipts and fares. Get more details below including other Washington colleges that offer bus and truck driver training.

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Bates Technical College

6007- A 244th Street SW, Mountlake Terrace, WA

About
Bates Technical College, located in Tacoma, Washington, began operation in 1940 as a vocational school operating out of the Hawthorne Elementary School basement. The school expanded quickly, becoming a Tacoma Vocation-Technical Institute in 1947, under the direction of Vern Bates, who retired in 1969. To honor Mr. Bates, the school was renamed L.H. Bates Vocational Technical Institute.

By 1991 the school was merged into the Washington State Board of Community and Technical Colleges, where eventually the name was once again changed to its current. The school has expanded its offerings and is dedicated to providing the best education possible for its service area.
Academics
Bates Technical College's primary offerings are for career and technical training to assist individuals in entering the workforce. These programs utilize simulated real world settings to impart the skills and abilities necessary for employment in one's chosen field, with such fields typically being in high demand, particularly among businesses in the BTC's service area. T

hese programs take between one and two years to complete, resulting in a certificate or associate's degree that demonstrates competency and dedication.
Some programs offer transferable credits that may be used in the pursuit of higher levels of education. This is done by completing the equivalent of the first two years of a four year education, followed by applying for transfer to a four year institution to continue that education and earn a  bachelor's degree.

Transfer to a public Washington college or university will be easier through transfer agreements that guarantee acceptance if certain requirements are met. Transfer to private or out of state schools will be more difficult due to more stringent admissions policies for transfer students.  As a technical college, earned credits may not be transferable by out of state school's or private schools, and as a result should be discussed with a counselor.
Programs offered include:

• Business Administration
• Engineering
• Construction
• Information Technology
• General Education

Admissions and Financial Aid
Bates Technical College is an open enrollment institution that admits any individuals that meet the minimum criteria for admission, submit a completed application and pay accrued fees. Students are also asked to provide previous transcripts and standardized test scores, and may be asked to take a placement exam prior to registration.

The school also encourages meeting with a counselor to discuss goals and program enrollment.  Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants and scholarships. Students in need of financial assistance must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the information from which is used by the school's financial aid department to determine the student's need and aid program eligibility prior to forming a financial aid packet.

Financial aid must be reapplied for prior to each academic year. Students may be chosen at random to provide additional information to be compared to the FAFSA in order to verify its accuracy as part of new federal regulations governing the disbursement of aid funds.

Students Enrolled in the Bus and Truck Driver Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Bates Technical College offers a less than one year certificate program in bus and truck driver.

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Vocational Education Teachers, Postsecondary

Description

Teach or instruct vocational or occupational subjects at the postsecondary level (but at less than the baccalaureate) to students who have graduated or left high school. Includes correspondence school, industrial, and commercial instructors; and adult education teachers and instructors who prepare persons to operate industrial machinery and equipment and transportation and communications equipment. Teaching may take place in public or private schools whose primary business is education or in a school associated with an organization whose primary business is other than education.

Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity

Description

Drive bus or motor coach, including regular route operations, charters, and private carriage. May assist passengers with baggage. May collect fares or tickets.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, bus drivers, transit and intercity employment is expected to grow at a rate of 5.9% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 3
  • Average Hourly Rate: $24.32
  • Average Annual Salary: $50580

Bus Drivers, School or Special Client

Description

Transport students or special clients, such as the elderly or persons with disabilities. Ensure adherence to safety rules. May assist passengers in boarding or exiting.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, bus drivers, school or special client employment is expected to grow at a rate of 5.6% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 3
  • Average Hourly Rate: $18.75
  • Average Annual Salary: $39000
• Tacoma-Lakewood, WA Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 1
  • Average Hourly Rate: $17.47
  • Average Annual Salary: $36340

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

Description

Drive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). May be required to unload truck. Requires commercial drivers' license.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers employment is expected to grow at a rate of 5.5% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 11
  • Average Hourly Rate: $22.24
  • Average Annual Salary: $46270
• Tacoma-Lakewood, WA Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 4
  • Average Hourly Rate: $22.77
  • Average Annual Salary: $47360

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).