On this episode of Education Station on Road Gang Radio, host Jimmy Mac is joined by Chico McCollum, CDL instructor at Bishop State Community College, for a wide-ranging conversation about how truck drivers are really trained—and why mindset, rhythm, and community matter as much as skill.

Chico gives a behind-the-scenes look at Bishop State’s career technical education programs, including CDL training, diesel technology, and skilled trades, and explains how community colleges respond directly to local workforce needs. From first-time students in their 50s to younger drivers with industry exposure, Chico breaks down how instructors adapt teaching styles to meet students where they are.

Topics include:

Why trucking education is about rhythm, patience, and syncopation

Teaching drivers to back better than they drive forward

Building classroom community and teamwork among students

Adapting instruction for beginners and experienced students

Why repetition and real-world backing matter

Preparing drivers psychologically for life on the road

Using all five senses to understand a truck’s health

The importance of humility, curiosity, and passion in instructors

How CDL training connects students to long-term careers—not just licenses

This episode highlights trucking as both a profession and a lifestyle, and why great instructors focus on confidence, calm, and continuous learning—not shortcuts.

Learn more about Bishop State Community College and CDL training:

https://www.bishop.edu

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