WDB helps Victorville trucking company meet surging demand

As a smaller company in the fiercely competitive world of truck transport, Valley Bulk Inc. in Victorville leans heavily on the San Bernardino County Workforce Development Board – specifically WDB’s On-The-Job Training (OJT) program – to meet its employment needs.

The company, which transports products such as gypsum, cement powder and silica sand for the construction industry, requires its drivers to be able to operate their heavy-duty truck that include specialized features such as pneumatics.

“OJT has been a tremendous asset for us,” said Jeff Golson, President of Valley Bulk. “We’re a really specialized company, and to bring in someone without the right experience requires a lot of training and a lot of time to recoup that expense. OJT gives us that flexibility.”

The WDB-administered program provides eligible companies reimbursements of up to 50% of a newly hired employee’s salary while he or she is in training. Employers interested in participating should contact one of the county’s three America’s Job Centers of California. The AJCC will then refer a candidate to the employer and conduct the on-the-job training.

OJT has become an extremely popular resource for the growing number of businesses that call San Bernardino County home.

“Our Business Services team at WDB is tuned in to the needs of our employers, providing the critical support necessary to ensure that we’ve got the talent pool help them expand and prosper. It’s one more reason that San Bernardino County has become such a great place to do business,” said Curt Hagman, Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors.

For Valley Bulk, OJT has helped the family-owned business keep pace with the surging demand for construction products as the post-pandemic recovery accelerates. The company has about 90 employees, many of whom were hired and trained through the program.

WDB’s Business Services team also has helped the company identify and hire employees through the California Department of Rehabilitation.

“It’s all about giving people a second chance,” Golson said. “What makes my day is seeing someone succeed. When they’re able to get that opportunity, to work hard and buy their own home, they will go the length of the world for you.”

“It’s one big family here,” said the company’s Safety Director, Lloyd McCoy.

Phil Cothran, Chairman of the WDB, said helping companies such as Valley Bulk is especially rewarding.

“It’s a great example of how the culture of an organization matters. For Valley Bulk and for us, it’s a partnership – not simply about filling a position, but creating opportunity, transforming lives and helping the company and their workers succeed,” Cothran said.