Waste Pro’s Co-Heart Program is celebrating another big milestone – its 300th commercial driver’s license (CDL) graduate. The Co-Heart Program, created in 2015, gives Waste Pro employees of all levels – drivers, helpers, supervisors, managers, and more – an opportunity to receive one-on-one training and earn their CDL. The program was created and is led by Corporate Operations Trainer Robert Bourcheau, a state-approved examiner and instructor.
Throughout their time in the course, students work closely with Bourcheau on skills like advanced backing and driving skills and rollover prevention, among others, in preparation for their CDL exam. The tests are conducted at Waste Pro’s Regional Operations Center in Sanford, FL, a state-approved CDL testing site. Waste Pro is only one of two solid waste companies in the state that works with the Florida Department of Transportation to offer such a program.
The 300th graduate of the program, who earned his CDL in February 2021, is Willy Previl, who started at Waste Pro’s Ft. Myers, FL Division as a helper last year and has since been promoted to driver. He is the cousin of Ft. Myers driver Ickson Pierre, who is also a graduate of the program and recently earned his first $10,000 Safety Award for three years of safe driving. “Being a Waste Pro runs in the family here in Ft. Myers,” said Division Manager Bill Jones.
Previl said Ickson Pierre’s accomplishment inspired him to participate in the Co-Heart program and earn his CDL. Ft. Myers helper Anthony Jones also earned his CDL this month. Sanford Police Officer Sean Hill attended a ceremony honoring Willy and other recent graduates of the program and spoke about the importance of being vigilant behind the wheel and looking out for aggressive driving, major traffic violations, and more.