A native of Rochester, NY, Robert Barrett is a self-described “military brat” who settled in Georgia in 1998. Since then, he’s spent time in Atlanta and Gwinnett County, and has had a variety of occupations, entrepreneurial ventures to warehouse work.

Robert had long been interested in trucking and had planned to pursue his CDL in 2008, but the stock market crashed and forced him to pivot. He knew that spending time in a warehouse environment would provide good insights into trucking and so he moved down that pathway, waiting for the right opportunity to enroll in a CDL course.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused Robert to revisit his list of occupations that would allow him to meet his financial goals while offering a degree of freedom in his day-to-day activities. It seemed the ideal time to earn his CDL. Having heard about Goodwill’s supply chain management program from a friend, Robert visited Goodwill’s Pleasant Hill Career Center to learn more. He was pleased to discover that he could enroll at no cost thanks to funding provided by a Department of Labor Employment and Training Authority grant. Robert continues to express his gratitude for this support, noting that many trucking education programs cost $5-10K, and require that graduates drive for their companies for a year.

Robert started the training program in March 2021 and while taking classes during the day, maintained his full-time overnight job at a manufacturing company. While in the program, Robert received gas cards, which were helpful in reducing his transportation costs. Despite a shift that ended at 8AM, he arrived on-time (and sometimes early) each day, full of energy, and ready to train. His enthusiasm was contagious and he frequently helped his peers with various assignments. 

 Robert shared that when the hands-on portion of training began at Georgia Piedmont Technical College, he was so determined to succeed that he would remain in the yard to practice his skills until the instructor made him leave. He also visited truck stops to talk with seasoned truckers and learn from them. These activities and his networking efforts paid handsome dividends, as he had several job offers before graduation. 

 Robert completed the program in July, earning the prestigious Georgia Tech LEAP (Logistics Education and Pathways) certification. For someone who has spent his career in the trades, Robert shared it was a real boost to add this credential to his resume. He also earned OSHA10 and CPR/First Aid certifications and improved his digital skills thanks to a grant from Microsoft. Best of all, he passed his CDL-A exam on his first attempt, which was coincidentally on his birthday.

The next step was to lease purchase a truck and begin driving cross-country, which Robert has been doing for nearly a year. Although Robert is self-motivated and driven to succeed, he credits Goodwill for providing a phenomenal program. A proud alum, he spreads the word at every opportunity. In fact, his younger brother will soon complete the program and the two will be starting their own business, fulfilling a long-time dream. Robert’s success is allowing him to lease purchase a truck for his brother, after which he will move toward his ultimate goal of obtaining his MC DOT number and Trucking Authority number and taking his business, Barrett Trucking, to new heights.

Robert’s mother is a key source of inspiration in his life. Her lessons allowed him to inspire everyone he encountered at Goodwill. It is an honor to present him with the Outstanding Graduate Award for Pleasant Hill.