SCC Truck Driving Receives $150,000 Grant

11/19/07

Shawnee Community College's Truck Driving Program recently received notice of a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) Operator Safety Training Grant, awarded by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Department of Transportation. The grant awarded $120,000 to the college, with $30,000 additional funds provided by a match by the college resulting in $150,000 total.

The purpose of this grant is to assist economically distressed regions by providing workforce training opportunities for qualified individuals to become CMV operators. All awarded funds will be used solely for student tuition and fees. Each scholarship will pay 80 percent of all program tuition and fees. The college will be awarding scholarships to qualified individuals. The goal is to assist a total of 50 individuals with scholarship funding and job placement. In addition to this grant, other grants can be used to cover the remaining costs.

Associate Vice President Jean Ellen Boyd says the emphasis will be job placement. "The truck driving industry is in high demand for qualified drivers and scholarship preference will be given to individuals with the qualifications and true desire to have a career in the truck driving industry."

Truck driving company recruiters visit Shawnee campus often, and offer employment opportunities to SCC students to ease the transition into the workforce. The average first year salary for entry-level drivers is approximately $35,000. Shawnee provides six-week truck driver training at the main campus and also at the East St. Louis Higher Education Center.

For scholarship and additional financial aid opportunities contact Tammy Capps at 618-634-3280.