November 17, 2022
Residents in West Montgomery who are interested in training to become truck and passenger bus drivers now have an opportunity to do so right within their community. On Wednesday, November 16, Trenholm State Community College President, Dr. Kemba Chambers, announced the expansion of the College’s truck driving program to its main campus on Air Base Boulevard.
Chambers also announced the college is in the process of developing a logistics program and curriculum to meet the need of Montgomery’s workforce community.
“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,” Chambers said during a press conference on Wednesday at the new location.
“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.”
Truck driver shortages exist across the state. Anna Buckalew, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, thanked Trenholm State and the state’s community colleges for their efforts to strengthen workforce development.
“If you look up what community and economic development should look like, it looks like the Alabama Community College System. 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,” she said.
Chancellor Jimmy H. Baker, Chancellor of the Alabama Community College System, reinforced the System’s commitment to colleges serving as their communities’ college.
“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. 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,” Baker said.
Trenholm State Truck Driving Instructor, Dean Faust, said the new site will train students in Class B CDL and Passenger Bus CDL. Trenholm State’s Patterson site on Troy Highway currently 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,” he said. “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.”
The New Training Site is scheduled for completion in January 2023.
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