Jamonta
Man-Tra-Con Employer Services Coordinator Abby Russell presented Jamonta with an Apprenticeship Certificate of Completion from the U.S. Department of Labor on August 13, 2025. Jamonta had been an apprentice in an On-the-Job Training program (OJT) at Crisp Container Corporation since last summer. The program helped pay for a portion of his wages as Jamonta trained to be a CDL driver at Crisp Container.
Jamonta had been working at Pepsi MidAmerica in Marion, Illinois, for about 6 years before transitioning to CDL driver training. He began his employment with Pepsi as a builder—building out cases of product. After 6 months, he was promoted to a checker position, and then a forklift driver position. Eventually, he was promoted to a supervisor position in the Builder department, where he worked until he became a CDL apprentice in an On-the-Job Training (OJT) program at Crisp Container in August 2024.
Jamonta was very happy with the CDL training program. “It was nice. I thought it was going to be stressful, but Ivan and Justin did an amazing job. I basically passed the test with flying colors,” Jamonta says.
Jamonta talks about what he likes best about being a CDL driver for Crisp Container. “Being home every night… Both of my kids are in high school and I’m still making basketball games and everything. Being able to work, get my CDL time in, and be home at night with my family, it’s an amazing thing,” Jamonta says.
Jamonta loves working as a CDL driver for Crisp Container, and plans on staying for a long time. He offers advice to future apprentices.
“I say ‘go for it.’ I had a couple of guys ask me about the program. They worried about passing the test, about being out there, being away a lot. I’m like, it’s actually one of the best things I’ve ever done for my career. This program was very helpful for me. You get your experience under your belt. You get to stay home every night, and still get to spend time with your family. I think that was an amazing thing… so I’m very thankful for it,” Jamonta says.