Cochise Newsroom

Before most people drink their first cup of coffee, school bus drivers across Cochise County are already making hundreds of decisions that shape the safety and success of local students.
 
They check mirrors and brake systems. They monitor traffic and weather. They calm nervous kindergartners, greet sleepy teenagers and navigate busy roads while carrying the community’s most precious cargo.

 

For many drivers, the job is more than transportation. It is a service.
 
Now, Cochise College is helping prepare school bus drivers for the next school year through its new CDL-B with School Bus Endorsement training program at the Sierra Vista Campus. The program is designed for people seeking meaningful work, stable careers and an opportunity to make a difference every day.
 
“People often underestimate what school bus drivers do,” said Cullen Scarborough, Dean of Workforce Development. “These professionals are trusted with our children’s safety every single day. It takes patience, awareness and strong decision-making skills. This career is about much more than driving.”
 
The program provides students with the training needed to earn a Class B commercial driver’s license with a school bus endorsement, helping professionals step confidently into a high-demand workforce field.
 
The course combines classroom instruction with behind-the-wheel training, giving students hands-on experience and practical safety knowledge.
 
Classroom sessions will take place July 13 through 16, followed by behind-the-wheel training July 27 through 30. Classes run Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Sierra Vista Campus.
 
The cost of the program is $3,295, and funding options may be available for qualifying students.
 
Across the country, school districts continue to face shortages of qualified bus drivers. Yet transportation professionals say the role attracts people who value community impact and purpose-driven work. Many drivers are parents, veterans, career changers or retirees looking for careers that allow them to serve others while maintaining reliable schedules and benefits.
 
For some, the relationships formed along daily routes become the most rewarding part of the job. Drivers are often the first school employees students see each morning and the last ones they see before returning home.
 
“School bus drivers help shape a student’s day,” Scarborough added. “A smile, encouragement or calm presence can make a bigger difference than people realize.”
 
Those interested in enrolling or learning more about the program may call (520) 515-5492 or email training@cochise.edu.