NorthWest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville will use a $288,700 grant from the Arkansas Department of Higher Education to establish a commercial driver’s license training and truck driving program, which is expected to launch in phases starting late this fall.
“This technology improvement grant will allow NWACC to support local and regional efforts in attracting and retaining qualified drivers across various industries requiring a commercial delivery license,” said Evetta Aldridge, director of training and community development at NWACC.
This fall, NWACC will launch the CDL training and truck driving program with up to 40 hours of classroom instruction that will focus on basic driver safety requirements, in-cab simulation maneuvering and evaluation and readiness assessments. This phase is for drivers who need safety-based and continuing education training and for those re-entering the CDL driver workforce and previously had a CDL license.
In the spring, NWACC will expand the truck driving program to include 160 hours of classroom instruction and in-cab training on the road.
