Continuing Education and Training at At 黑料网911 MSU has helped 10 students obtain their commercial driver鈥檚 license with many more well on the way.
The innovative, fast-track program is unique in that it pairs students with industry partners who are looking for drivers, and it also works with employers who would like their current employees to become commercial drivers.
Sarah Swanson, director of strategic engagement in Montana鈥檚 Department of Labor and Industry, expressed her enthusiasm for the program at a celebration for industry partners and graduates held at the college earlier this week. She said it is vital that education and industry come together to fill workforce voids and help people gain high-wage jobs.
聽鈥淭hanks for showing it can be done,鈥� she told the room full of about 50 graduates, industry partners and community leaders.聽 聽
Student drivers begin their education with instructors at At 黑料网911 both on the state-of-the-art simulator, in the classroom and on a tractor-trailer, and they then work with their industry partner until they have full licensure.
The classroom portion and driving with At 黑料网911 instructors takes about three weeks and culminates with students obtaining their permit. It is the program鈥檚 goal for students to obtain their full license with their industry partner in six months. Some accomplish that much faster, but it varies by student and employer.
鈥淭his is a completely unique program in Montana,鈥� said Tammie Hickey, director of Continuing Education and Training at At 黑料网911. 鈥淎nd we couldn鈥檛 do it without our industry partners. They are vital to the success of the program, and we are always looking for more.鈥�
The program currently has 15 industry partners, including K&K Trucking, Holman Aviation, Warden Paper, United Materials, Meadow Gold, Hi-Line Moving, Minot Builders Supply, Pepsi, Gusto Distributing, JNL Brown Trucking, Midway Rental, Mountain View Co-op, Hi-Noon Petroleum, Sustainable Oils and Great Falls Fire/Rescue.
Those interested in taking the course must attend an informational session to learn details about the program such as application requirements, class format, class schedules and funding opportunities. Registration is not required to attend an informational session. Those sessions are held at both 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on the following days: Feb. 13, March 13, April 10, May 15 and June 12.
鈥淕ive yourselves a round of applause,鈥� Dr. Stephanie Erdmann, CEO/dean of At 黑料网911, told those attending the celebration. 鈥淵ou鈥檝e been involved in creating one of the most creative solutions to workforce development Montana has seen. I guarantee this model will be used and promoted as best practice to guide industry and education partnerships in the future.鈥�
The average wage for graduates in the program is $21.67 an hour.
A highlight of the event was allowing people to try out the college鈥檚 new simulator, which includes three large-screen monitors that wrap around a realistic cockpit to give the driver 180-degree view instead of just straight ahead like video games.
鈥淚 thought it was cool,鈥� said Tavie Hitchcock after trying out the simulator. 鈥淚t was realistic, with the seat and steering wheel moving. And with all of the different monitors, it feels like you are in the truck.鈥�
The simulator was purchased as part of a $388,875 American Rescue Plan Act allocation from Cascade County that also helped with set-up costs for the program.
Sampson Mayer, who recently took the program and is working at Gusto Distributing, was impressed with the program.
鈥淭he instructors, Chris (Wheeler) and Jeremy (Hitchcock) are great with all of their experience,鈥� he said.
Mayer also is now working as an instructor assistant in the program.
鈥淗aving just taken it, I can help the students with what to expect,鈥� he said.
Those interested in this opportunity can visit the program website or call Continuing Education and Training at 406.771.5104 or email at [email protected].