ALBANY, GEORGIA – Albany Technical College along with local industries and transportation carriers will “roll out” the Albany Transportation Academy at Albany Technical College during a ceremony at the Albany-Dougherty County Government Center (Room 100) on Thursday, May 17 at 11:30 a.m.
The new initiative is an innovative workforce development program to be housed at Albany Tech. The Albany Transportation Academy is designed to create a pool of trained, qualified employees to support the transportation industry and those industries that rely on efficient and cost-effective systems to move goods and services in our region.
“Commercial truck drivers and diesel technicians are in high demand in our region and indeed across the country,” commented Dr. Anthony O. Parker, President of Albany Technical College. “The Transportation Academy has great potential to address and solve a twofold workforce need. By refocusing our efforts on career training in these strategic areas, we will present a path forward to those who reside in our community who are looking for a job that pays well and offers health benefits.
With these jobs, a person can support themselves and their families and build a great future. The benefit to the community is that Transportation Academy graduates will provide local industries with a qualified and trained pool of talent. This will ensure a robust system in our community to move the goods made here to market in a cost-effective, competitive manner.”
Parker added that transportation carriers in our region will see an upswing in certified drivers coming out of the Transportation Academy. The new initiative will also refocus the College’s efforts to train and graduate more certified diesel technology mechanics.
Students can successfully complete the Commercial Truck Driving program, consisting of nine credit hours, in eight weeks. The Diesel Equipment diploma program can be completed in 12-18 months (four academic terms). For both programs, classes are offered in day and evening hours throughout the week.
The Albany Transportation Academy at Albany Technical College has been a collaborative effort of several key entities in the local transportation and manufacturing industries. One of the community leaders involved in the launch of the program was Werhner Washington, Plant Manager of the Procter & Gamble Paper Products Plant in Albany. Washington and Parker reached out to other industries and to area transportation carriers to seek input for the initiative. Project collaborators include Raven Transport, Schneider, Benny Whitehead, SouthernAG Carriers, Werner Enterprises, TMC Transportation, ROEHL Transport, Knight Transportation, and U.S. Xpress.
“With these great partners at the table and with the high demand for CDL drivers and diesel technicians, graduates are likely to find employment immediately after they complete the training,” Parker commented. “That will be a win-win for our community.”
Parker reiterated that the Albany Transportation Academy at Albany Technical College will prepare graduates for entry-level positions in the transportation industry and/or entrepreneurial opportunities through innovative and hands-on instructional approaches. The result will be a sustainable workforce and a timely delivery system for talent and goods, resulting in economic growth for the region, he said.
At the ceremony, which will include Mayor Dorothy Hubbard, Dougherty County Commission Chair Christopher Cohilas, Albany Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Bárbara Rivera Holmes, President of the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission Justin Strickland, and Technical College System of Georgia Assistant Commissioner for Workforce Development Joe Dan
Banker, officials will discuss the need for the program in the community and regional benefits, as well as admissions requirements.
College officials will announce at the Rollout that for eligible Georgia residents, the HOPE grant and HOPE Career grant will pay full tuition for Albany Transportation Academy programs. The entire list of requirements can be found on the Albany Tech website at albanytech.edu, and also are available through the Admissions Department.
Media Notes:
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The HOPE grant does not pay for college fees, books, and other fees associated with the program.
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Admission requirements include: must be 18 years of age or older; have a valid Georgia Driver’s License; complete the application for admission and meet required test scores or provide official college transcripts. A high school diploma or GED is not required for admission to the Commercial Truck Driving Program. Other requirements include: A Motor Vehicle Driving Report that includes the past seven years and does not have more than eight points or four moving violations; no DUI’s in the past three years; and a Department of Transportation physical exam and drug test.
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Financial Aid information is available through Albany Technical College, 229.430.3506.
About Albany Technical College
A public postsecondary institution of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), Albany Technical College provides technical education and training support for the evolving workforce needs of Southwest Georgia through traditional and online classroom settings. Albany Tech is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS/COC). For more information about Albany Tech, go to www.albanytech.edu or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AlbanyTech or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AlbanyTech. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel by visiting www.youtube.com/albanytech1 .