IWS trainees cherish opportunity in Aurora

Truck drivers with years of experience behind the wheel in their native countries are navigating new territory these days in Aurora, where they’ll spend a few weeks studying and training for their commercial driver’s license before moving on to fill vacant jobs all across in America.
A total of 80 foreign drivers are expected to complete the International Workforce Services program in its first year of operations, with a surge of more than 30 currently enrolled in the program. Five of those men took a break from studying to share their thoughts about the IWS program, as well as their impressions of their temporary host community.
“I think this is just the opportunity of my life,” said Nevson Zisusa, a native of Zimbabwe. “My mentor, who is training me now, is an experienced man, so for me to meet experienced men in your country like this it gives me a green light. I definitely think this is the greatest place to be for myself.”
Zisusa, like many of his classmates, has been driving a truck for more than 20 years, so is vastly familiar with the job. Learning the ropes and regulations here in the United States, however, is a hurdle he must clear before he can begin living his version of the American dream.
“They are open to explaining everything to us for getting my CDL,” Zisusa said. “I am looking forward to my skill test. I only had an opportunity (thus far) for training one day, but I can tell you that I am ready to go for that test, which is great.”
Zisusa said he has been impressed with his IWS experience, particularly the quality of and attention to detail with the training curriculum and staff.
“I have been behind the wheel now for 21 years, but I can tell you in my career he is the best,” he said of his IWS trainer. “I have met a lot of men when starting a career, and sometimes you go to other companies for orientation, but he is just the best I’ve ever worked with.”
Mark White was born and raised in South Africa, learning to speak five languages while driving in seven different countries over his relatively short time behind the wheel. Now at age 63, he is excited to be training in Aurora for a chance to continue his career on American highways.
“For the past five years I’ve said I want three things — USA, USA, USA,” he said. “There were times I got downhearted and I think that the others may have got a bit downhearted too in that wait, because COVID came in between and we waited at least two years for COVID to come and go. But, the reason I wanted the USA is it is the pinnacle of truck driving. It’s the ultimate. I know guys back home who would give their front teeth to drive in the USA, not so much Europe, Ireland, Australia or wherever.”
Asked what makes American truck-driving jobs so appealing, White said his list is long.
“Professionalism. The distances. It’s just everything that truck drivers desire,” he explained. “I came here definitely for the money, for the dollar. African truck driving doesn’t pay as well, in my opinion. I came here to make money at a later stage in my life. I’ve given my life for the people of Africa and the have-nots of society and I have not earned much money. So now I’ve come for that reason. But, I would say even more so I’m a people’s person, schooled with people, and I’ve come here to bring goodwill from the people of Africa to the people of the United States.”

‘A dream come true’
Marshal Kadziri also hails from Zimbabwe, though he has a job waiting for him near El Paso, Texas, as soon as he completes his training and passes all the necessary tests.
“To me coming here is a dream come true,” he said. “Since I was a kid I’ve wanted to go there and I am so proud to be part of IWS. They gave us a welcome we didn’t expect.”
Kadziri noticed pictures on the wall of former trainees who completed the program and are now US drivers, adding that he wants to see his picture on that wall one day soon.
“I am so excited to be part of this,” he said. “I would advise each and every one who wants to be a driver to use these services.” 
James Mashumba said he hopes to inspire other drivers from Zimbabwe to follow his footsteps toward America, adding that the IWS program, thus far, has made what could be a daunting transition seem less intimidating.
“I hope to motivate some of my fellow guys who are still back home to come to the States when they get the opportunity,” he said. “It is a good school in terms of teaching you how to drive trucks in America. It’s all so overwhelming, but they say 98 percent are good in whatever they do in terms of training, so for anybody who wishes to come across the IWS school in Aurora is a good place to be.”
Asked if the goal, or expectation of earning his American CDL in less than a month is realistic, Mashumba said yes, in fact noting that it will take him less time than he expected. Todd Vettel noted that the IWS approach to training is very disciplined, with strict studying instructions given and a proctor (Celie Holliday) there to answer questions and keep everyone on task.
“Emotionally everything is good,” he said. “When they say 19 days they mean it because they know how the process works. They say it can take 19 days, but it might take me 15 days, okay, because of how they train. Once they tell you this is this, you will never forget it, that’s for sure.”
Lancelot Masangudza said he too is excited to be in Aurora, a major stepping stone in his life, though he will be happy when the day comes that he can be reunited with his wife and four children. They remain in Zimbabwe, at least for now.
“This is such a fantastic opportunity that I got when I was in Africa,” Masangudza said. “So when I told my family that we will be relocating from Africa to the United States of America everybody was so supportive. And when I finally got here in America they were so happy. They know that one day they’ll be with me here.”
Though his wife, children and extended family are thousands of miles away, Masangudza said he appreciates the motherly role filled by Crystal Vettel, whom he affectionately refers to as “Mum.”
“Mum is treating us like her own children,” he said. “There are a lot of people here but if there is anything that we want, we just go to Mum. She treats us the same way that in our culture our mums would. In that way, it is just like we are at home.”
Todd Vettel admitted that it made him pause to hear IWS clients refer to his own mother as “Mum,” but he realized it was a compliment, and an important factor in putting them at ease.
“I’ve learned as much as they are learning from us,” Vettel said. “We’ve learned a lot about them culturally. They had a big African dinner, a feast, for us the other day and we spent some time with them. There is lots of mutual respect between everybody.
“They refer to Crystal as Mum, or Mommy,” he continued. “It’s kind of humorous to me when I hear that because I say, ‘Hey, that’s my mom.’ But in their culture the mom is very active and busy, kind of a matriarch, and several of them have told me that it gives them comfort that we have somebody that’s sort of in that role. She moves around and she brings in the food, she’s just very busy and that gives them comfort, literally makes them feel comfortable because it’s very normal in their culture to have her around. It helps them, so Crystal’s job description is just ‘Mom, or Mum,’ which is probably something she’s comfortable with.”

A warm welcome
As for how they spend their free time in Aurora, the men say they are very focused on their studies, but enjoy walking around town.
“We like everything here, so we wouldn’t cross the lines or anything,” Kadziri said, noting that the group’s welcome included a visit with an Aurora police officer. “We are grateful and the town itself is peaceful. We see people walking on the streets and I kind of like it.”
“Truly speaking, I can say the community of Aurora can give you a warm welcome,” Mashumba added. “When I walk on the road people wave to me. They drive by smiling. Go to the shop, they’re smiling. This is a happy community, so I think maybe, if I get a chance, I might relocate to Aurora because of the warm welcome that I see.”
White said he too has had a good initial impression of his host community, as well as his IWS mentors.
“The thing that struck me is the first impressions,” he said. “When we arrived from El Paso we were tired. We were cramped. It was cold. We arrived in a meeting up here and my first impression was the passion and the energy that emanated from David and Todd. They were passionate about getting us through our CDL, which is what our goal is.
“The other thing is, I love Aurora,” he added. “If I have an opportunity, destiny, whatever happens, I would like my grandchild, who is a 9-year-old, and my wife, who is a nurse to settle in Aurora. That’s up to God."