Monday, April 23, 2012

May 12: Employers and job seekers will meet at Chattahoochee Technical College's North Metro Campus for the college's first Commercial Truck Driving Career Expo

Media release: Employers and job seekers will meet May 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Chattahoochee Technical College's North Metro Campus for the college's first ever Commercial Truck Driving Career Expo. The event, which has been organized by Lead Instructor Ray Puckett, will feature approximately 11 companies looking to hire drivers for their fleets.

 

At Chattahoochee Technical College Commercial Truck Driving is an 7.5-week program that includes both classroom and road experience for interested students. Taught at the North Metro Campus of the college in Acworth, the program costs approximately $1,416 for in-state residents. Those eligible for HOPE funding pay $869.25. The next available class begins May 14 and runs through July 5.

 

"We're facing a driver shortage that this country has never seen before," said Puckett. "Baby boomers are retiring so we're seeing companies increasing wages, providing better benefits and increasing the amount of time that drivers can spend at home."

 

The number of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers is expected to grow 13 percent by 2018. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics more than 3.2 million Americans worked as truck drivers in 2011. Truck drivers and driver/sales workers comprise one of the largest occupations, holding 3.2 million jobs.

 

"Industry leaders are telling me they need drivers right now," Puckett said. "Our graduates are prepared to meet that challenge head on. Truck drivers are definitely in the driver's seat now."

 

For more information about Chattahoochee Technical College and the college's Commercial Truck Driving Program, visit www.ChattahoocheeTech.edu or call 770-528-4545.

No comments: