HAMLET – Richmond Community College is offering truck driver training again this fall to help meet the demand for more drivers in the trucking industry.

The 10-week program will be held Sept. 12 through Nov. 22. Class will meet from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. There will be a mandatory orientation on Sept. 1 at 10 a.m. in room 130 of the Lindsey-Petris Building on the college’s main campus in Hamlet. Registration will be held Sept. 9 by appointment.

“The truck driving industry employs nearly 9 million people in trucking-related jobs, but there is a growing shortage of drivers,” said Dr. Robbie Taylor, vice president of Workforce and Economic Development for the college. “Entry-level drivers are entering a demanding field where there is a premium placed on quality student drivers fresh out of training. In collaboration with Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, we are able to provide that quality training at RichmondCC.”

The college graduated its first class of truck drivers in January. All 11 graduates received job offers; some received multiple job offers.

Cost of the training class is $1,882 plus additional fees. The class is approved for veterans’ benefits. Payment plans and WOIA assistance are available.

Taylor said the college would work with individuals on paying for the class because the end result is worth it.

“Having a commercial driver’s license gives you a highly employable skill,” Taylor said. “Graduates from the truck driver training class can make on average $50,000 or more their first year and up to $60,000 or better with one year of experience.”

In order to qualify for the truck driver training program at RichmondCC, students must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license with no limiting restrictions. Students must also be able to read and speak English well enough to take instructions from highway signs, converse with officials and complete the required reports. Completion of a physical and drug screening are also required prior to the first day of class.

The program provides classroom lecture followed by many practice sessions behind the wheel. Upon completion of the course, students will take the final road test for their commercial driver’s license at RichmondCC’s training facility. They will not have to go to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

To sign up or get more information about truck driver training at RichmondCC, call WED Programming Assistant Alicia Butler at (910) 410-1706 or email [email protected]. More information can also be found on the college’s website, www.richmondcc.edu.

Wylie D. Bell is director of marketing and communications at Richmond Community College.

Contributed photo Richmond Community College will once again offer truck driver training this fall in collaboration with Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute. The program provides classroom lecture followed by many practice sessions behind the wheel at RichmondCC’s training facility.
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_rcc_truckdriver.jpgContributed photo Richmond Community College will once again offer truck driver training this fall in collaboration with Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute. The program provides classroom lecture followed by many practice sessions behind the wheel at RichmondCC’s training facility.

By Wylie D. Bell

For the Daily Journal