Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC) in Jamestown, N.C. is set to improve its truck driver training program, thanks to a $1.7 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration.
With a 31% higher demand for truck drivers than the national average, the Triad region will benefit from GTCC’s expansion effort.
The grant application was approved last fall, and the announcement was made by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo on June 6.
“We’re pretty excited. It will help double the number of students we can accept into the program,” which GTCC started in 2020, said Beth Pitonzo, the school’s senior vice president of instruction.
Over 390 students successfully completed the program that enabled them to earn a commercial driver’s license to operate a tractor-trailer. To further expand truck driver workforce training, there will be infrastructure upgrades which include an asphalt training pad and a parking lot.
The grant for this project will receive a match of $2.6 million in state funds and is expected to create 1,782 job opportunities, according to the grantee’s estimates. The regional planning efforts were coordinated by the Piedmont Triad Regional Council.
“It’s truly a collaborative process,” Pitonzo said.
The project is projected to wrap up in early 2025, with the capacity to welcome around 420 students annually. This program has been in high demand within the community, especially with the current supply chain challenges sweeping across the nation.
Students will undergo a 320-hour intensive training program, which is available in an eight-week or a 16-week format. A classroom setting will account for 22% of the time, while 78% of the time will be spent on the driving range.
“People can get done pretty quickly and get out there” on the highways, Pitonzo said.
Truck drivers in the Triad area earn a median pay of around $64,000, though salaries may differ.
The good news is that the grant will help support the Trucking Action Plan proposed by the Biden administration. This plan aims to boost the trucking workforce, ultimately contributing to America’s growth and strength.
As part of the Biden administration’s Investing in America agenda, we’re ensuring that workers have the skills and resources they need to secure good-paying jobs in the communities where they live,” Raimondo said in a news release. “This EDA investment in Guilford Technical Community College will increase truck driving training opportunities to create pathways to professional growth in this traditionally underserved area, helping meet regional industry workforce needs and bolstering supply chain resilience.”
Gov. Roy Cooper said the grant to GTCC “will have long-lasting impacts and help our students develop critical skills that will help shape their careers.”
Source: Transport Topics
