PRESQUE ISLE – Two recently purchased commercial driving trucks have been added to the inventory of tractor trailers used by Northern Maine Community College to train drivers and for use by students in transportation-related trade programs.
The addition of the 2000 and 2003 Sterling trucks brings the total number of units to five available to students in the Commercial Driving Academy, which is run through the College Continuing Education Division, as well as NMCC trade and technical occupation programs that focus on transportation.
The two new units were purchased with funds raised through the Campaign for the County’s College, the major gifts campaign conducted jointly by the College and NMCC Foundation, which concluded in late February of this year.
Aside from the Sterling tractor trailers, the College earlier this year received a 2000 International 9200I series truck donated by the Southern Aroostook Region Two School of Applied Technology. The truck was once used for the technology school’s commercial driving license training program.
“This new equipment is critical to maintaining the quality of the training for our students. Our training vehicles were mechanically sound and have low miles, but many of the trucks were getting too old to represent the trucking industry and what our students use when they go to work,” said Leah Buck, NMCC assistant dean of continuing education. “These new trucks are a great addition to our programs, both the Commercial Driving Academy and the diesel hydraulic technology program, and will serve us well for many years. We are so grateful for the donations that made this purchase possible.”
Along with the addition of the new trucks, NMCC was also able to purchase a new box trailer, which according to Buck is also more representative of the industry standard.
The equipment comes at an important time for the Commercial Driving Academy, which has seen a steady increase in enrollment over the past three years. Buck attributes the recent spike in numbers to changes in the local economy, including mill downsizing, closures and layoffs in the manufacturing industry.
“Despite the concerns caused by the price of diesel, goods will continue to be shipped to and from ‘The County,’” said Buck. “There is an ongoing and high demand for commercial drivers in our region to transport both locally and long haul. Our very high placement rates for graduates are evidence that the need is great. There have been opportunities, in some cases multiple opportunities, for students who have successfully completed our two most recent sessions.”
According to Commercial Driving Academy program coordinator and lead instructor Dennis Dyer, the program is also attractive to seasonal workers who are both looking for work to supplement their income and to “have something to fall back on.”
“Many individuals who enroll in the program recognize that driving a commercial vehicle is a good way to earn a fairly high wage,” said Dyer. “The new equipment we have purchased will make our graduates that much more marketable as the trucking industry is changing rapidly and newer trucks have technology that helps drivers be safer and better prepared. New units such as these also help keep costs down for fleet managers by maximizing fuel efficiencies and opportunities. These trucks are representative of what many trucking companies in the area use and what larger national fleets issue to drivers.”
The most recent session of NMCC’s Commercial Driving Academy began June 23. The next session offered during the day will begin Aug. 18, and an evening session is planned for this fall. For more information or to register, contact the NMCC continuing education division at 768-2768.
Photo courtesy of Northern Maine Community College
DENNIS DYER, program coordinator for the Commercial Driving Academy at Northern Maine Community College, stands with the two tractor trailers recently acquired by NMCC. The two trucks were purchased with funds raised through the Campaign for the County’s College, the major gifts fund-raising initiative undertaken jointly by the College and the NMCC Foundation.