VaHigherEd.com

Did you know there was a trucker shortage and that this could easily affect our economy if American can’t find people to drive commercial trucks?

According to the American Trucking Association, the truck industry has a national shortage of 20,000 drivers.  It predicts the shortage will increase to 111,000 by 2014 given the current deomgraphic trends.  Without enough drivers to haul the nation’s products, expect delays on those items you both want and need.  If we are unable to find more drivers, shipping costs will continue to rise which means consumers will potentially see higher prices. 

We are proud to announce that one of our own, Southside Virginia Community College, saw the urgent need for trained truck drivers and has officially opened its third site in the Greenville/Emporia area offering Truck Driver Training.  Since opening the first Truck Driver Training site in 1996, the college has served over 1,200 students.  The college has sites at Pickett Park in Blackstone and one in South Boston.

“We are glad to be over here, we have been talking about coming to Greensville/Emporia for a long time,” said Duncan Quicke, coordinator of SVCC’s Truck Driving Training program.

Peggy Wiley, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors for Greensville County, said “This facility is an important part of the continuing efforts by the City of Emporia, Greensville County and SVCC to enhance adult education opportunities in our community.”

With the opening of this new site, SVCC can train 216 drivers a year.

Dr. John Cavan, SVCC President, noted that Quicke knows how to “get things going and keep them going.”  He also noted the persistence of Robert C. ‘Bobby’ Wrenn for continuing to push for a site to be located in Emporia/Greensville.

For more information on upcoming classes at the new site, call 434-336-1000.  Financial aid is available for eligible students in the program.

Posted by Heather Millar.