PINCKNEYVILLE, Ill. (Nov. 1, 2023)—The Delta Regional Authority has awarded Rend Lake College a $180,000 grant to expand the truck driving training program at the Murphy-Wall Pinckneyville campus.
The grant will be used to create virtual truck driving training and a showcase event. The simulator will allow students to learn CDL skills within a shorter time period and be better prepared to successfully obtain the licensures required to obtain employment within the transportation industry.
In FY23, the program graduated 28 truck driving students and in the Fall 2023 semester there are currently 22 students enrolled. Students who successfully complete the expanded program will qualify for a CDL Class A and/or CDL Class B license and be eligible for immediate employment.
“We are grateful for DRA’s support of this project that will expand our existing Class A CDL workforce training to include Class B. As part of the expansion, funds will be used to purchase a virtual simulator that is customizable to different types of commercial vehicles. The simulator will enhance learning and better prepare students for real-world driving experiences,” said Lori Ragland, RLC Vice President of Instruction and Student Affairs.
The grant will also help fund a Truck Driver Training Showcase that the college will hosting in the near future in Perry County. At the showcase, students and the public can test out the simulator and connect with industry employers about careers in the transportation industry. Local high school students and the general public will be invited.
“Greater Egypt Regional Planning and Development Commission, the Local Development District serving the DRA Counties of Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson and Perry, is pleased to have been able to provide technical support to Rend Lake College on their successful application for a much needed expansion of their truck driver training program based in Pinckneyville Illinois,” said Cary Minnis, Executive Director of the Greater Egypt Regional Planning and Development Commission. “Truck drivers are an essential part of our economy and are in extremely short supply. I am very happy that DRA is making the investment in this program as it will benefit our local businesses and residents.”
The expansion project is estimated to cost a total of $200,781, with $20,781 of the cost funded by RLC and $180,000 of the cost funded by DRA. The $180,000 will go towards purchasing the simulation equipment and a new box truck. The college will be responsible for funding salary and benefits, project coordination, clerical support, indoor classroom usage, and some costs associated with the showcase.