Volume 8 - No. 2 - Summer 2007 - Networking the Finest Educational Resources in the Trucking Industry

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Violet

Summer 2007 issue highlights NAPFTDS and its featured school, Hagerstown Community College, which expanded a Commercial Vehicle Transportation Program from small beginnings in 1995 to training 140 drivers annually. It outlines a Y2K-era shortage, the resulting Department of Labor grant of $1.65 million in 2005, and partnerships with transportation and industry organizations to add instructors, facilities, and vehicles, while improving completion and job-placement rates. The issue also lists fall regional conferences for truck driving instructors and support staff, plus upcoming national convention dates.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

Featured School

Hagerstown Community College: Commercial Vehicle Transportation Program

NAPFTDS Fall Region Conferences

Regional schedules and coordinators

National Convention

March 26-28, 2008

Volume 8, No. 2 Summer 2007 NETWORKING THE FINEST EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES IN THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY | | Hagerstown | | --- | --- | | | Community College | Featured School The Commercial Vehicle Transportation Program at Hagerstown Community College in Hagerstown, Maryland has grown substantially since its modest beginnings in 1995 with just two part-time instructors and seven students. Today, HCC has 13 part-time instructors, and it trains 140 drivers per year. It has trained over 800 truck drivers to date. HCC students boast a 98% completion rate and a 95% job placement rate. The average annual starting pay for graduates is presently in the $44,000 to $60,000 range. HCC was at a crossroads in the early 2000s. Shortly after Y2K, the transportation industry experienced a drastic shortage of qualified truck drivers, which was caused by industry growth and the retirement of experienced drivers. HCC recognized that the local I-70/I-81 corridor was a magnet for jobs in the transportation industry. Asa result, it responded to this demand by applying for a Department of Labor (DOL) grant in order to expand its Commercial Vehicle Transportation program, train more drivers, and fulfill the demands ofthe local workforce. HCC partnered with Volvo/Mack Powertrain of North America, D.M. Bowman, Inc., DOT Foods, USA Cartage, Hoffman Transport, Expedited Services, Inc., the Workforce Investment Program, Washington County Public Schools—and it received a $1.65 million grant from the DOL in 2005. As a result of this partnership and DOL grant, HCC specifically has: • Increased marketing efforts that include neighboring states, transportation companies, and state and county government and employment agencies; • Conducted job fairs and open houses for the transportation industry; • Purchased three new classroom buildings, three new Volvo trucks and a truck-driver simulator; • Hired seven new truck-driver instructors; • Increased yearly enrollment of truck drivers from 54 to 140; • Is now the East Coast training provider for | In This Issue | | --- | | | |
􀂊 President’s Message
􀂊 Convention Highlights
􀂊 New Board Leaders | Pictured is one ofHCC’s three new 2006 Volvos purchased with the DOL grant. HCC received a $1.65 million grant from the DOL to address the shortage of truck drivers in the quad-state region. YRC Enterprise Services (Yellow Roadway), one of the largest transportation service providers in the world; • Provides customized driver training for local trucking companies; and • Offers a certificate and an associate’s degree in Transportation Management/Administration. “We are pleased to be able to provide both the facility location and infrastructure support for this valuable venture,” said Roger Johnston, vicepresident and general manager with Volvo Powertrain North America in Hagerstown.“Our ongoing partnership with Hagerstown Community College and its commercial transportation program is a perfect example of what can be accomplished when the business community and educational institutions work together. Each of ushas benefited, and we and our truck customers will continue to benefit, from the school’s location at our Volvo Powertrain North America facility, providing economic benefits to the area and an increased availability of highly-trained truck drivers for safe transports in this region.” D.M. Bowman, Inc. concurred.“D. M. Bowman, Inc. has had a long standing relationship with Hagerstown Community College. We have worked closely with the college in the development of the Truck Driver Training Program, and graduates ofthe program have become employees of our company. We look forward to a mutually beneficial future with Hagerstown Community College.” For more information, contact Bob Simmers, commercial vehicle transportation coordinator at Hagerstown Community College, ATC Building, Rm.107, Hagerstown, MD 21742,(301) 790-2800, ext. 449. NAPFTDS FALL REGION CONFERENCES Offeri

FAQs

What did Hagerstown Community College achieve with its Commercial Vehicle Transportation Program by 2007?

By 2007, HCC trained 140 drivers per year, exceeded 800 trained truck drivers to date, reported a 98% completion rate, and achieved a 95% job placement rate for graduates.

Why did HCC pursue a Department of Labor grant?

After early-2000s shortages of qualified truck drivers driven by industry growth and retirements, HCC applied for a Department of Labor grant to expand training capacity and meet local workforce demands.

What does the issue provide for NAPFTDS members in the fall?

It lists NAPFTDS fall region conferences, including dates, locations, coordinators, and a note that attendees can receive the workshops and seminars free of charge.

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Violet