Hagerstown Community College will host a dedication and open house at its newly expanded truck driver training facility, located at Volvo Powertrain in Hagerstown. The event will be held on Friday, October 6, from 2 to 4 p.m., and is open to the public.
Much of the expansion is the result of a $1.65 million grant that was awarded to HCC’s Commercial Vehicle Transportation Program last October from the U.S. Department of Labor. The three-year grant is the largest in HCC’s history and is being used to meet the increased workforce needs of trucking, warehousing and distribution businesses in the tri-state region.
“HCC’s Commercial Vehicle Transportation Program has produced more than 750 graduates since 1998 and the need for more trained truck drivers continues to grow,” said Guy Altieri, HCC president. “Our newly expanded facilities will allow us to double our capacity for truck driving students, up to 140 per year.”
Student enrollment in the program has increased by 42 percent since 2005. The program now has three new Volvo trucks, a state-of-the-art driving simulator and three new modular buildings, which include a technology building, classroom, and office space.
“A large part of the success of our program is due to the generosity of Volvo Powertrain in allowing us to offer our truck driver training program at their site,” Altieri added.
“We are pleased to be able to provide both the facility location and infrastructure support for this valuable venture,” said Sten-Åke Aronsson. “Our ongoing partnership with Hagerstown Community College and its Commercial Vehicle Transportation Program is a perfect example of what can be accomplished when the business community and educational institutions work together. Each of us has benefited and we and our truck customers will continue to benefit from the school’s location at our Volvo Powertrain North America facility, providing economic benefits to the area and an increased availability of highly-trained truck drivers for safe transports in this region.”
The U.S. Department of Labor expects employment in the transportation industry to grow 23 percent by the year 2012 and HCC officials say the local need could be even greater. HCC’s Commercial Vehicle Transportation Program offers a 98 percent graduate completion rate and 95 percent job placement rate. For more information on the dedication ceremony or the program, call 301-790-2800, ext. 449.