November 27, 2024

R-CCC CDL program training drivers for area jobs
Instructor and students picked up 100 turkeys for Operation Thanksgiving Blessing
 

 

AHOSKIE, NC –Roanoke-Chowan Community College (R-CCC) expanded its Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) program with the acquisition of two trucks, one manual and one automatic, and one trailer earlier this year with funding provided by Hertford County Government. Last year, Nucor Steel Hertford County partnered with the college to fund a portion of the costs to build an official truck driver test/practice pad located at the Universal Technical Training Center on the college’s main campus.

As the program approaches the upcoming new year, CDL Instructor Richard Hines is preparing for the next course to start in January. The current fall course will conclude in mid-December.

Students in the program recently put that training to use. Providing valuable hands-on experience, Hines and three students traveled on a training mission Nov. 18 to United States Cold Storage in Warsaw, NC, to pick up one hundred 24-pound turkeys that were donated by Butterball for Operation Thanksgiving Blessing. Hines and the students delivered them to the Seaboard Lions Club where a group of volunteers will carry the turkeys to Avery County to prepare a Thanksgiving meal for Hurricane Helene flood victims. 

“This was a great training opportunity for our students,” said Hines. “They had the chance to see how earning their CDL can benefit them and their community. We were honored to provide this service to help our neighbors.”

R-CCC offers the safety-focused CDL Truck Driver Class A training program to prepare students for careers as entry-level truck drivers. The course includes classroom and computer training as well as field driving in late-model tractor-trailers exclusively used for student training.

“This is a manual transmission class. It covers all phases of behind the wheel, operating a truck along with backing, and the theory, which is delivered online and in-person,” explained Hines. “We try to get as much time as we can behind the wheel.”

Student Frederick King of Ahoskie said he wanted a career change, so he decided to enroll in the CDL course this fall. Before enrolling, he drove a jockey truck for a company in the area for about three years.

“There’s a lot to learn with these trucks. People really don’t know. I have learned a lot in this course,” said King who also encouraged others who may be interested to enroll.

“It’s a great deal. It will really help you out in life. It leads to a nice career, and you can better take care of your family and be successful,” King added.

The short-term CDL training program provides hands-on training and is designed to provide students with the skills needed to be successful in the field. Prospective students need a CDL learner’s permit to enroll along with a Department of Transportation physical/medical certificate, vehicle driving record and drug test.

“As Roanoke-Chowan Community College continues to strengthen its CDL program, we are incredibly grateful for the support we have received from government and business partners, whose investment has allowed us to expand with vehicles, advanced training tools, and, most importantly, the ability to open more doors to promising careers for our students. Our instructors ensure that each student gains the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to succeed in this high-demand field. I commend our students for their dedication to learning, growing, and taking bold steps toward new and rewarding career paths. We look forward to another year of empowering individuals to serve and support our communities through fulfilling and essential roles in the transportation sector," said R-CCC President Dr. Murray J. Williams.

The transportation services sector has a strong job outlook, especially in the local area of northeast North Carolina. Labor market analytics firm Lightcast projects the region will see increased jobs for truck and tractor-trailer drivers throughout this decade. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, last year, the median annual wage for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers was more than $54,000.

For more information, contact Hines at 252-532-4744 or rlhines@roanokechowan.edu. To enroll in the next CDL course, contact the Continuing Education Office at 252-862-1307 or 252-862-1202. Financial assistance is available for eligible students.

 

 

 

 

Roanoke-Chowan Community College’s Mission
Roanoke-Chowan Community College, a member of the North Carolina Community College System and located in Hertford County, is a public, two-year institution of higher education offering associate degrees, diplomas, certificates, college and career readiness, and customized business and industry training in a variety of delivery modes promoting public service, transfer, and workforce development for a diverse student body, leading them to contribute to the vitality of an increasingly global community. www.roanokechowan.edu #DiscoverRCCC “Where community and careers connect”

Media Contact: Melanie Temple, Director of Marketing & Recruitment/PIO, metemple7181@roanokechowan.edu, 252-862-1243