Company CDL program or Private

Tl:Dr in today's climate, am I more likely to get a job doing "free" company CDL training, getting a CDL on my own, or does it even matter?

I'm planning on getting my CDL in 2024. I've been thinking about it since last January and long story short, made up my mind in July. I am currently a teacher and my district requires 30 school-days notice to resign so I decided to teach this year. I could teach my 30 days and quit, but I don't want to do that to my coworkers and students. I also just bought a house, so it would be nice to get my savings built back up a bit before entering a new career.

I do enjoy my job most days, however, it's not the most lucrative. I don't know how truthful trucking adds are, but I imagine I should make as much or more as a new trucker as I do as a teacher with 8 years experience.

The question:

I was going to do a weekend private school this fall but it ended up cost prohibitive. Fortunately, a local Community College is offering a weekend course this spring that is very affordable and nearly double the hours of the private course. This is what I'd like to do, but I've also heard with the shipping slowdown that companies are more interested in training their own employees vs hiring graduates. Is this the case?

Other potentially helpful information:

I live in coastal North Carolina near camp LeJuene and am hoping to get a job flat bedding with either Maverick or Cypress Truck Lines. I had Gypsum Express on my list, but the last time I checked their site, it looked like they required experience. Flat bedding isn't an absolute, I mainly would just like to find a job with a terminal fairly close to me.

I also grew up on a farm, and even operated my own for 5 years (which also overlapped with teaching) so long hours and weeks aren't exactly a problem. Just in case anyone is concerned that I might not hack the "less time off."

Thanks to those that take the time to reply!