CDL Training with Job Placement in Kansas City

Before anyone can get hired as a truck driver, they need a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and a way to connect with the right carrier. Apex Technical Institute in Kansas City helps with both. Students earn a Class A CDL in four weeks, and unlike schools that leave the job search until after graduation, Apex builds job placement into the program. According to Apex’s Director of Education, Matt Taylor, most graduates can start work the week after they finish.

How the Job Search Fits Into Four Weeks of CDL Training

The Class A CDL program runs four weeks with a minimum of 180 training hours. Classes meet Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. New classes start every Monday, and no trucking experience is needed to enroll. While students build their driving skills, the job search runs alongside training each week. For a breakdown of the driving skills covered, see how long Apex’s CDL training course is.

Week One: The Job Placement Seminar

“Job placement starts with us on Day 1,” says Matt Taylor. On orientation day, he leads a job placement seminar on how hiring works and what carriers look for. Students leave the first week knowing what the hiring process will look like before they ever climb into a truck.

Week Two: Applying to Carriers

This week, students start behind-the-wheel training and learn the pre-trip inspection. Matt Taylor encourages them to apply to every carrier that interests them. More applications can lead to more interviews and more options.

Week Three: Interviews with Trucking Companies

As applications come back, students interview with carriers. Some companies hold a second interview before making a job offer or sending a pre-hire letter.

Week Four: CDL Testing and Starting Work

Apex is a Kansas certified third-party testing site. CDL skills tests take place with licensed examiners, using the same trucks and yard students trained on. Students who pass and already have a job offer can start driving as soon as they receive their CDL.

Who Hires Apex CDL Graduates?

Apex’s team works with students on every step of the job search. Recruiters meet with students, and Apex also encourages students to contact carriers directly. Companies that hire Apex graduates include Werner Enterprises, Sygma Network, DOT Foods, and McLane.

Matt Taylor notes that pre-hire letters are less common than they used to be, but Werner, Schneider, TMC, and a few others still offer them before graduation.

Pay varies by carrier and route. In the Kansas City metro area, truck drivers earned an average of $61,850 a year in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Apex’s guide to how much truck drivers make breaks down pay by route type, pay method, and experience.

Local vs. OTR: Home Most Nights or Out on the Road?

Apex sorts its carrier jobs into two groups based on home time. Local drivers are home daily or every other day and are often paid by the hour. Over-the-road (OTR) drivers spend more time on the road and are usually paid by the mile. Every OTR option Apex offers includes chances to be home every weekend. For a closer look at life on the road, see a day in the life of a new truck driver.

What If a Driving Record Isn’t Perfect?

Carriers prefer drivers with a clean background and a good driving record, and the top companies require both. DUIs, accidents, multiple tickets, and a poor work history can make it harder to get hired.

Even so, as Matt Taylor said, “there is a job out there for everyone.” Apex looks at each student’s situation on its own. Anyone with concerns about their driving record, background, or other barriers should contact Apex before deciding trucking isn’t an option. The enrollment requirements page lists what students need to qualify.

Job Placement Help That Lasts a Whole Career

After graduation, Apex staff check in with every graduate several times to help with the job search. That help doesn’t end after a set period. Graduates who keep themselves eligible to drive can come back to Apex for job placement help at any point in their career.

New Class A CDL Courses at Apex Start Every Monday

The first step toward a CDL is a short conversation with Apex’s admissions team. They can answer questions about eligibility, class start dates, and how to pay for training.

Apex offers tuition and financing options for qualifying students. Eligible veterans can learn about using their benefits on the Veterans CDL Benefits page.

Call (913) 444-5664 or request information to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions About CDL Training and Job Placement

What is a pre-hire letter?

A pre-hire letter is a conditional job offer from a trucking company, given before a student finishes CDL training. The job becomes final once the student earns their CDL and meets the carrier’s hiring rules.

Does Apex guarantee a job after graduation?

No. Apex provides job placement help, but trucking companies make the final hiring decision.

Do trucking companies pay for CDL training?

Some do, through tuition reimbursement after a driver works for them for a set period. Terms vary by company, so students should ask Apex staff which carriers offer it.

Can students apply to carriers that don’t visit Apex?

Yes. Apex encourages students to reach out to any carrier they are interested in, not only the ones that meet with students.

Do new drivers get more training after they are hired?

Often, yes. Many carriers pay for on-the-job training for new drivers, but students should ask about the details during interviews.