Trenholm State Community College is expanding its truck driving program to its main campus on Air Base Boulevard in Montgomery.
Dr. Kemba Chambers, president of Trenholm State Community College, said the institution is also developing a logistics program and curriculum to meet the need of Montgomery’s workforce.
“Recognizing the massive amount of job openings for heavy and tractor trailer truck drivers and the nation experiencing a truck driver shortage, Trenholm State wanted to ensure that we were able to meet the needs of our community and state by providing not only one location for truck driver training in East Montgomery, but a second location in West Montgomery,” said Chambers. “This year alone we’ve seen a 25% increase in our truck driving students – that’s 187 students.
“This makes it clear that truck driver, logistics and supply chain management are an essential part of the transportation industry.”
Alabama, as does the nation as a whole, is currently experiencing a shortage in truck drivers. Anna Buckalew, president and CEO of the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, said community colleges’ workforce development efforts would serve to usher new economic growth.
“If you look up what community and economic development should look like, it looks like the Alabama Community College System,” said Buckalew. “We are in the golden triangle of logistics. … This facility is right in the middle of that triangle. It’s going to be one of the biggest economic drivers in this country, so thanks to the Alabama Community College System for this infrastructure.”
Chancellor Jimmy H. Baker, chancellor of the Alabama Community College System, reinforced the system’s mission of delivering results for the communities it serves.
“We are about having open doors, taking any resident who is willing to find a way – whether it be six weeks or four years – to help them improve their way of life and the lives of their families,” said Baker. “It is our mission and our purpose to ensure that Trenholm is appropriately prepared and equipped to do what it needs to do to serve its community.”
The new site will train students in Class B CDL and Passenger Bus CDL, Trenholm State Truck Driving Instructor Dean Faust said. Trenholm State’s Patterson site on Troy Highway trains for Class A and B.
“We take pride in what we do and have recruiters on a weekly basis who want our students to work for them,” said Faust. “We’re looking forward to the opportunity to provide all the business in Montgomery and the county and the state who are looking for more workers.”
Dylan Smith is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
