Seeking information

Goodmorning, ISO information on local 150 pay/benefits.

Currently I'm in a situation where I can go to CDL school for $5,000 in the next few days; but I'm unsure if the investment would be worth it for getting into 150.

I've tried to get in for 6 years now, and over those years have gained forklift certs, CPR, first aid, OSHA 10, and have racked up hundreds of hours collectively between loaders, excavators, skid steers, 0-turns, forklifts, lulls, and over head cranes. I was told by a BA to either get a college degree, or a CDL-A unrestricted.

My job currently is non-union, but pay is $40 an hour with an opportunity to move to $55 an hour in the next few years; which is difficult to leave for an unknown pay rate and structure.

If anyone has information on district 7 or district 1, please let me know so I can make a well informed decision. Including how landing certain contracts works; from what I understand specific 150 jobs would yield higher pay than others.

Any help is greatly appreciated here. I'm 25, so I need to start thinking about insurance and retirement which is a huge reason to jump; but with my life currently I can't afford to make less than $30 to start. Also, 5k for school is a hefty fine for a chance of getting in; ideally I'd like to hold onto that cash.