ALBANY, GA – Southwest Georgia will now see a tractor and trailer traveling the region, parked in designated locations, spreading the word about the Transportation Academy at Albany Technical College. The generous donations of two local industry leaders, SouthernAG Carriers, Inc. and Procter & Gamble, helped make this possible. As companies realize the need for qualified, trained CDL drivers and diesel technicians, there will be a sharp demand curve for graduates over the next few years. Albany Technical College has implemented an 18-wheel traveling billboard that encourages the community to enter into programs at the Transportation Academy: Commercial Truck Driving, Diesel Equipment Technology, Auto Collision Repair Technology, and Automotive Technology.
“We would like to thank SouthernAG Carriers, Inc and Procter & Gamble for their support. 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 provide local industries with a qualified and trained talent pool. This ensures a robust system in our community to move the goods made here to market in a cost-effective, competitive manner,” stated Dr. Anthony Parker, President of Albany Technical College.
Albany Technical College, along with local industries and transportation carriers, rolled out the Albany Transportation Academy at Albany Technical College in May of 2018. The innovative workforce development program housed at Albany Technical College, the Albany Transportation Academy, was designed to create a pool of trained, qualified employees to support the transportation industry and those that rely on efficient and cost-effective systems to move goods and services in our region. During the “rollout,” former Procter & Gamble Plant Manager Werhner Washington announced that P&G would support the new Transportation Academy with a $10,000 donation.
The support has continued through Farid Khan, the current Plant Manager’s leadership. In 2020 P&G donated an additional $5,000 to the Albany Tech Foundation to further support the Transportation Academy. These funds created an opportunity to purchase the trailer, now being used to promote the program to the community.
SouthernAG Carriers, Inc. entered into a three-year lease agreement with Albany Technical College in November 2018. Under the agreement, Albany Technical College received a “bobtail” tractor unit used by the Transportation Academy.
Parker went on to say, “Commercial truck drivers and diesel technicians are in high demand,” The Transportation Academy will provide support to Southwest Georgia in addressing and solving workforce needs. We have focused our efforts on career training in these strategic areas, creating a path forward for those who reside in our community who are looking for a job that pays well and offers health benefits.”