This is a great school if you want to get into truck. Jim V. Is the best teacher I've ever had in my entire life. I would highly recommend working with him read more

Great school ... I had some great instructors ... I went from medical to truck driving..... now I have my CDL... still looking for employment but I know I will find a job... read more

Loved this school for my son! He got his class A a few months back and hasn't looked back since. He kept talking about the amazing experience he had and now makes the big bucks. read more

ACI has provided me the skills to progress into my future in the trucking industry. My first trucking job was partnered with ACI and they have a multitude of different career opportunities they can assist you with getting. ACI, although minimal trucks, still provides students the immediate skills they need to not only pass the CDL tests as the DMV but, real life structure to help you succeed on the road from adjusting the fifth wheel and tandems to ensuring you know how to move the truck and remember that any small move can either make or break your backing maneuver. Quality staff and quality skills are here and I cannot thank ACI enough for giving me these skills and information I now use in the real world. Thank you Everett, Tony, Steven, Karen, and Joe for such an amazing experience. There is one more gentleman that I had assist me when doing air brakes but, can't recall his name but, he is the one! read more

Wanted to leave a review now that I've graduated from this school. When I enrolled I was excited. I read the reviews and was happy to get my class A from an accredited school. It's unfortunate that I didn't have the best experience. Not sure if they have a lot of overhead to cover but I'm assuming that's why they enroll multiples students at a time. It seems like they bite off more than they can chew. There's not that many trucks and students are on different sections of learning so you have to wait if you want to practice air brakes or skills. To use a manual to practice with is rare since there is about 3 trucks but one being used for skills. It's hard to practice and get the right training. They also have no schedule for students. It's just random what you're doing when you go. I'm use to formality. It seems like they wing everything & the instructors don't talk to each other so they have no idea what they're doing or that's what it seems like. They'll help you don't get me wrong but you'll be learning 60% of this stuff on your own or from other students. I was enrolled into the night course since I had work during the day. Im not sure how they did things for morning class. It seems like they were on top of it though. I say this because when I went to go take my tests at the DMV the instructors were there with the students and were very present and informative. The night class seems to be the complete opposite. It's very irritating because you have to ask the instructors to get drive time behind the wheel or to practice skills. I didn't like that. I'd rather them have a schedule so I know when I'll be behind the wheel and when I'll have allotted time for skills as well. I don't want to beg for my hours. If you're scheduled to graduate in 8 weeks don't count on it. If you don't meet the hourly requirement that the DMV asks of you, you're going to find yourself being there for an extra week or two. The people who work in the office were nice. I didn't associate with them too much but when I did, they seemed very professional. Good luck if you enroll into this school. read more

I don't typically give out five star reviews but Advanced Career Institute (ACI) in Visalia, Ca is in exception. All of the staff and instructors are friendly and knowledgeable. Ray, Travis, Tony, Steven, Miguel and Ray are all there to help you better yourself and teach you an in demand and valuable skill, so you can have a better career and life. I'd highly recommend this school for CDL training. read more

The students are well trained in all aspects of trucking. We even go above and beyond teaching them how to couple and uncouple tractors to trailers, how to put on snow chains, how to adjust brakes, and how to slide fifth wheels and slide tandems. We stay with them through their inspections, teaching them all the parts and what to say about them. They learn how to drive from experienced trainers. They learn how to shift gears, how to descend mountains and stop and take corners. I'm an instructor and we teach safety first. Safety in driving and how to inspect vehicles. Most of all they have fun learning all the aspects of trucking. read more

Congratulations, once you register at this school, sooner or later you will get a truck driving license.Then you have plenty of jobs. But the best thing for me is that I got my driver's license with the most beautiful memories that have happened to me at this school ....... Memories of barbecues, Halloween and Christmas also:) Funny moments for students and instructors. Here are a lot of great instructors and staff at ACI school I appreciate them for their wonderful efforts. I also met a lot of wonderful new friends .... It really was one of the nicest moments. I will miss this school very much and wish it success forever ... Thank you ACI Noureddin. O read more

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So where do I start? Yeah you learn from this school for a price. But you learn more from the students than you do from the instructors. There are never enough instructors to go around. So this means while one is on a drive with his favorite students the others have to wait in the yard because the only instructor who is ever at the school in the evenings is teaching class. Poor guy has to stand at the door teach a class and then yell at the trucks to reset. Stop go or do whatever they need to do. There is about %2 hands on instructor teaching you skills in the yard. And to pay $3250 out of pocket. This to me is outrageous. So I filed complaint after complaint and I get called in and talked to for stiring up drama . Well non of these issues have been fixed . My test date is in 2 weeks. And the people who don't even have test dates are going on drives because they are buddy buddy with the instructor. I hope the owner of this company reads these reviews. read more

I'll talk about the good things first at this Trade school, Advanced Career Institite, I went here For two years, I've learned so much about welding, smaw, gmaw, gtaw, fcaw, protective gears they do provide, they do order but you have to be patient for being a Beginner, book work is included, staff is very nice, it's not a high end school, but they make they're equipment work, just like everyone else, for health wrisks, wear a mask it's part of welding, if you wana learn ask for help, this schools instructors are really good at teaching welding, especially the evening Shop Assistant, he's taught me things I didn't know before this Gentleman came abort on the school, 100% best welder ever. Now the down side, the Instructor They Originally have, can't weld for shit, he's rude, Lazy, doesn't know how to talk to people politely, very controlling, won't let students turn in lab work, because he demands perfection from beginner welders, cocky, arrogant for little talent that he has. I love this school they've done so much for me personally, I'd go there again. -Merry Christmas, Happy New year read more

If you want to know where your money will be going keep reading. If you don't want to read a long review and want to listen other short reviews go for it too. I believe in being honest so here goes nothing. The school has issues but it's not the instructor's fault. My review is based solely on the owners of the schools. I did my training at the Visalia campus. The instructors try there best to get you tested and licensed.(Save for Jr if you don't have Breasts or are real cool, Jr ain't got time for you. After all you only work part time right Jr? Or that's the excuse you told me.) But the owners push the recruiters Joe and Bobby (the car salesman) to get people to sign up before others have graduated which creates a HUGE bottleneck. At one point there were over 35 students on the yard for skills. Here's a typical day. IF you get there on time (which for me was 7 AM). You do a pre-trip inspection which takes 30 minutes. Then you have to wait for everyone that showed up late to finish. Then around 9 AM you will get in for Air Brakes. Sometime around 10 AM you start skills. Lunch is 11 to 11:30 AM. The end of the day is 130. You do the math. They have moved to a new yard but this does not change the fact that the owners have too many students enrolled at one time. Most of the instructors, who are way underpaid, are willing to help you (Save for the aforementioned). But that is if you ask for help. Close mouths will not get fed here at all. If you have a bitch, moan, or complaint (like I did on numerous occasions) and don't talk to Dennis or Larry (in that preferred order) it ain't getting fixed. Office staff is helpful to a fault. If you are a POS that doesn't show up and then have the gall to come in and complain about hours Pattie will have little time for you. But She does and did go out of her way to help me resolve the issues that I had. Even if she has nothing to deal with the issue. Val spends the day tracking down people that barely show up only to complain to her about things she has nothing to do with. And if you do decide to go here thank every God on the planet that the old Career Placement lady is gone. Sandpaper does a better job as toilet paper than she did at career placement. The school is expensive and has flaws but that is due to the owners and not the staff. They are like the rest of us. Over worked and underpaid. P.S. I want a different shirt! How are you going to make a design of someone ripping open their chest on the back of the shirt? Who thought of that shit? read more

I attended the CDL training course. The staff there is top notch all the instructor's are very friendly and helpful with any questions you may have. They make sure you have the proper skills to succeed in the trucking business. I recommend anyone looking to get their CDL license to definitely go with ACI's training course. read more

Amazing school!!! Preston was the best teacher I could have asked for. Learned soooo much! Can't wait to hit the road and see this beautiful country read more

Great down to earth staff and students, welding program is very flexible, dont complain , just get ur trade ..

I would say first and foremost, they are nice people. They will show you what they advertise: How to run a bead. What they neglect to tell you or teach is a usable skill to the job market.if running a bead was the only requisite of a welder, then you could justify paying 8 grand out of pocket because you'll make it back in earnest. However the reality is quite another. Here in the Central Valley, the jobs available are minimum wage or slightly above it. How do you justify spending 9 months in school paying 8000 to them for minimum wage? And it's not even permanent minimum wage. You spend just as much time unemployed in between jobs as you do working. The certifications they offer are useless. If you have no fabrication experience, who cares if you can lay a bead? The jobs you get hired to will surround you with folks with no schooling of any sort and definitely no certifications. And they make the same as you do! My biggest knock to all of this was the dishonesty. I tried leaving a review on their Facebook page and rather than contact me (I left my email and phone number), they simply blocked me and went about their business of lying and tricking the Fresno community. The building they operate this "school" at is in shambles. One of the bathrooms is Constantly broken, the electrical lines trip the breakers if more then one welder is on often, when it rains, the roof leaks all over, and the teachers assistant often gives inaccurate information that confuses rather than helps students. I gave them 2 stars because al, one of the instructors, genuinely does what he can to help you learn. He has given them the idea of building things but it would cut into the bottom line and they are for profit first, so it doesn't happen. I strongly recommend going to Fresno city. Their program is 2 years long but you learn how to fabricate, and gain actual useful skills. read more

My family has had a bad experience with this school. When my relative first started out they were very hopeful because throughout the registration process everyone was very helpful, polite and professional. As soon as school began they knew something wasn't right but we believe and giving anything and everyone a chance. This chance ended up being a pricey let down. We soon learned this school has a terrible success rate for their Visalia campus. The practice yard is full of holes and you spend more time standing around then you do in a truck. The trucks are junkie and ran down. We understand that they're used daily but maintenance them, please. In class you better be a self-starter because you will definitely be your own teacher but the worst part of it all is Patty/Pattie (unsure of spelling) she's an office person who handles the attendance. She is very rude and unprofessional. She makes mistakes (like we all do) in the numbers but when the students question her about it she'll call them liars and tell the other office staff that they're liars. I happened to be in the EDD office last week 4 things completely unrelated to this school and overheard a worker talking about several clients of hers and their issues with Patty. I asked her if it was Patty from ACI (Advanced Career Institute) and she said it was. We got to talking and long story short Patty cannot do her job so if you decide to attend this school make sure you keep your own records. Have your instructor make you a personal sign in/out sheet that he/she can initial everyday for you or you too will be called a liar!! read more

Let me start by saying if I could give them ten stars I would. All employees that I had any contact with, administrative or instructors were very knowledgeable. If they didn't know the answer to a particular question they would immediately find out or direct me to the person who would know. All the instructors had very different styles in teaching me my skills and drives but they were all united with the same goal, wich was to get us to pass at the DMV. Their yard trucks were just that, yard trucks. Nothing fancy but you don't need fancy to learn skills. The drive trucks were actually pretty nice considering the abuse they get from student drivers like myself. Safety was ALWAYS a first priority on the road or in the yard. I could go on but will close by saying that I would recommend Advanced for anyone wanting to get their class A license. Everett, Rick, Polo, Martin, and Jeff, kudos to a job well done. Thank you! read more

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I attended the welding program here and wouldn't recommend anyone join .. A bunch of false promises by the school. They said they'd have job placement after. Bullshit.. they're just worried about their money . You're on your own after . read more

I took out a loan ($10,000) to learn how to properly operate a commercial vehicle. I was not show how to ( drop and hook, how to use reference points when backing or turning, how the clutch brake is properly use, how to upshift, or downshift going up and down hills. I was also told by Bobby (the recruiter) that I would get 20 weeks to learn how to properly operate the truck. I got 5 weeks behind the wheel and only drove 6 time. Fresno truck driving school cost 1,500 and I would have learned more. Sincerely, $10,000 poorer read more

Great program ! Help you get your license ASAP as long as your are focused and here every day.

After waiting for around a moth, went to pick up my refund, it was back in November 2015, so I was called by Everett, Fresno campus manager to have a chat about a bad review on their Facebook page, he was very intimidating and rude to me. Well I wrote that bad review so students can see their real deal about not caring about students and caring more about $$$ and giving priority to their star employees (instructors). So I'm writting this update to show you their real face when they're pissed if you review their bad service on their Facebook page, they loose customers so they loose $$$ profit. I passed there around 3 weeks and still the same craphole with damaged skill yard and old vehicles. Also made a report to the board of postsecondary education telling them about all the faults they have and about bad service, I dont know if they got fined or not but I truly hope so, for the bad experience they made me have. Also I never accepted an apology from their instructor cause I thought there wasn't gonna be any improvement since on the first chat when I was cancelling, they were kind of giving the instructor priority over me, and that motivated me on lefting the bad review on Facebook and other sources. read more