Athens Services launches training opportunities for California residents

Athens Services, Industry, California, has launched two on-the-job training opportunities for residents considering a career in heavy-duty vehicle maintenance or commercial trucking. The waste collection and recycling company has partnered with Glendora, California-based Citrus College to develop a heavy truck maintenance program, and with Camino Real Career School in La Puente, California, to develop a commercial driver’s license (CDL) graduate program. 

“Athens is offering the maintenance apprenticeship and driver trainee program to provide individuals with the valuable chance to work within our organization while gaining practical, on-the-job training,” says Jojo Delgado, Athens Services’ talent acquisition and retention manager. “Our goal is to equip program participants with essential entry-level job skills and knowledge to help prepare them for potential full-time employment.” 

The heavy truck maintenance certification program is a career and academic pathways program designed exclusively for Athens. The apprenticeship consists of a three-course series at Citrus College that will provide students with an understanding of basic shop maintenance and services. The program will also dive into specific heavy-duty truck components including suspension, steering, brakes and hydraulics. 

“Students will receive the fundamentals and training to help them establish a solid foundation that they can then build upon at their prospective place of work,” says Spencer Boldt, a medium and heavy-duty truck technology instructor. 

Prospective maintenance technicians will need to register as students at Citrus College to participate in the apprenticeship program. After completing the first course of the series, students will be eligible to apply for a paid apprenticeship in an Athens maintenance shop. 

For those interested in getting behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle, Camino Real Career Schools’ CDL graduate program is an opportunity for new graduates to apply for an entry-level commercial driver or equivalent role at Athens. Prospective drivers must register for and complete either the six-week Class A, eight-week Class B or 10-week Class A and B training programs to learn the core elements of commercial trucking. 

“The on-the-job training opportunities will help provide industry experience, as well as enhance an applicant’s employability, especially when applying for positions within Athens,” Delgado says.