Truck Driving Program Underway at FCC
I n 2023, Frontier Community College introduced the Truck Driver Training that would be available on campus for anyone with a Commercial Learner’s Permit. Students who complete the practical train - ing are prepared to pass the skills test of the State of Illinois Class A CDL exam. A major component of the IECC mission is to meet the educational needs of our immediate communities, and this was certainly demonstrated throughout the implementation of this program. Early on, community leaders Doug Anderson of the Illinois Farm Bureau, CEO of Frey Farms Sarah Frey, and local ag leader Matt Rush, approached FCC with concerns about meeting the local dearth of truck drivers. This was the impe - tus to convene an advisory committee that comprised of business leaders, trucking companies, marketing professionals, and government officials, to ascertain if there is truly a need for local training. The overwhelm - ing response at this meeting was a resounding YES! Members of the advisory committee even went as far as to pledge both monetary support and equipment to get the program started.
Noble, IL. This has recently recreated a backlog, and students were concerned about being able to graduate on time. Again, these students concerns “bubbled to the surface” and were another factor in offering this training at the FCC campus. One of the biggest hurdles to starting the program at FCC was finding the funds to procure a semi-truck to fit the needs of the program. Through an Innovative Bridge and Transitions (IBT) grant, made available through the Illinois Community College Board, FCC was able to secure funding to make this large purchase. Josh Vaughan of Vaughan Equipment of Fairfield, IL, submitted the winning bid for a 2019 International LT semi-truck with four air-ride chairs; the truck was delivered to campus on February 28th. Jeremy Carter, advisory committee member and owner of Carter Trucking, generously donated a 53’ box trailer to the program. The trailer will soon be wrapped with Truck Driver Training marketing and informational material. An enclosed area to perform backing maneuvers was secured at the north park- ing lot of the buildings that formerly housed Airtex Products. This area was striped, allowing the students to simulate different backing and driving situations. A program without instructors is not possible. Three experienced part-time instructors answered the call
ABOVE: President Edgren and Chief Academic Officer Paul Bruinsma with Josh Vaughan and the Vaughan Equipment crew after the purchase of the semi-truck for the CDL Program.
In addition, obtaining a Class A CDL is a graduation requirement for the Electrical Distribution Systems (EDS) students. In order to meet this stipulation, many enroll in the spring sections of TRK 1201, which is taught at the Terry L. Bruce West Richland Center in
10 FCC Annual Report
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