HAMLET — Twelve people are hitting the road with the foundation to be good, safe truck drivers after completing the nine-week truck driver training program offered at Richmond Community College in partnership with Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute.
RichmondCC held its graduation ceremony Oct. 31 for successful completers of the program. Graduates included Bernard Campbell, Tilton Chavis, Gerald Coley, Jeffery David, Johnny Smith, Walter Spencer and Samuel Wyche, all of Richmond County; Robert Norton, Zachary Norton and Antonio Wall of Scotland County; and Tyrone McCormick and Dennis Ratliff of Anson County.
Dr. Dale McInnis, college president, welcomed everyone to the ceremony and acknowledged the collaborative effort to establish the truck driver training program at RichmondCC. This is the third class of truck drivers to graduate from the program.
“Today is a great day for our students’ and our partnership with Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute these last few years. This is one of the best graduations we do all year because we know that folks are going straight to work and going to change their lives,” McInnis said.
The 10-week program provides classroom lecture followed by many practice sessions behind the wheel. Upon completion of the course, students take a final road test for their commercial driver’s license at RichmondCC’s training facility.
CCCTI provides instructors for the class, including CCTI Director of Truck Driver Training Roger Chester who spoke to the graduates.
“These twelve graduates showed dedication and determination, and I am proud of you all,” Chester said. “As director of the Caldwell Community College Truck Driver Training Program, we are enjoying our partnership with RichmondCC, and we want to thank everyone who helps us down here. This program has changed a lot of lives. It’s a demanding job, but the reward is great.”
Chester also offered these words of advice: “Keep your driving record and your personal record clean, and you’ll have a job as long as you want.”
Sen. Tom McInnis, who was instrumental in securing the state funds to bring truck driver training to RichmondCC, also spoke at the graduation ceremony.
“We all have a past and the past is gone. You have a future and that future is in front of you, and this opportunity is yours. All you have to do is grasp it,” he said.
Sen. McInnis encouraged the graduates to strive to be the best and keep a good reputation.
“You are going to be a positive example to others and say, ‘I went to RichmondCC and got my CDL, and they made a difference in my life,’” he added. “Be proud of your profession. The trucking industry is the backbone of the greatest transportation system in the world, and you’re part of it.”
To Sign Up
For more information about the next truck driver training course, call Workforce and Economic Development Program Director Holly Russell at 910-410-1704 or email [email protected].