In an effort to meet local labor market demand, Feather River College is now offering a commercial driver’s license program, reports Nick Maffei, FRC’s director of marketing, communications and outreach. “Through a valuable collaboration with Sierra Pacific Industries, Feather River College will have access to one of SPI’s manual semitruck-and-trailers to utilize as a training tool for students interested in a career in transportation and trucking,” he said.
The program consists of two classes offered during the spring semester, with an emphasis on log and timber truck driving. This new course will provide students with the basic skills to obtain a commercial Class A driver’s license. Maffei reported that FRC will work in partnership with SPI to provide a truck and driving instructor to ensure students learn the safe operations, preoperation inspections, and components of the Department of Motor Vehicles’ Class A driver’s license exam.
“Living in a rural area like Plumas County, commercial trucking is the backbone of our core industries: timber and agriculture,” said Jared Morris, the FRC instructor who will be teaching the course. “This class is a great addition to our community because it provides local residents with the opportunity to earn their license in a much more affordable way than attending an out-of-town driving school, and provides local employers with the trained, qualified drivers they are looking for.”
Maffei emphasized that this training would not be made possible without the partnership of SPI. “Sierra Pacific Industries recognizes the value of educational programs like Feather River College’s Class A licensing course and how it can provide direct pathways for students to employment in local industries like ours,” said Joe Nelson, manager of SPI’s trucking division. “Offering affordable training courses to our county residents will produce a skilled workforce that can support local business here in our rural
communities.”
In addition to supporting the program by loaning equipment, SPI will also offer extra hours of driving time to students outside of the classroom so they can gain valuable experience driving in a commercial
setting with a variety of different loads and road types.
At the end of the semester, CDL program students will have the opportunity to take their Class A driver’s license exam. If they pass, they will have an unrestricted California Class A license and the ability to pursue a career in the trucking industry.
“This partnership between Sierra Pacific Industries and Feather River College is a demonstration
of local organizations coming together to address local workforce needs,” said Maffei. “FRC is hopeful that this new partnership will open up even more opportunities to help serve our local community.”
“FRC is grateful for our partnership with SPI,” said Kevin Trutna, FRC superintendent/president. “This exciting new program will assist in bringing more skilled jobs to Plumas County.”
For more information on the new course or other programs that Feather River College offers, visit http://www.frc.edu.
Information submitted by Feather River College
