Moultrie Tech Tifton Truck Driving Receives USDA Grant Wednesday
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Pictured, left to right, are MTC Executive Vice President Jim Glass, MTC Vice President of Economic Development, MTC Board of Directors Chairman Will Vereen, MTC Board member Cal McMillan, MTC President Tina Anderson, MTC Foundation Director Darbie Avera, U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss, MTC Board member Kent Hamilton, USDA Georgia State Director for Rural Development Stone Workman, USDA Tifton Area Director Godfrey Hinds, MTC Board member Brinson Brock, Georgia State Senator Joseph Carter, MTC Vice President of Administration Ken Strickland, MTC Commercial Truck Driving instructor Richard Tucker, MTC Vice President of Operations David Evans, MTC Commercial Truck Driving instructor Kenny Rogers, MTC Vice President of Student Affairs Scott Hudson, and MTC Tifton Campus Dean of Academic Affairs Becky Richardson. |
TIFTON , GA. U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) was on hand with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Georgia State Director for Rural Development Stone Workman and local dignitaries at the Moultrie Technical College (MTC) Tifton Campus Wednesday, August 13, at 9:30 a.m.
MTC faculty and administration celebrated as the College’s Commercial Truck Driving program received a $70,000 grant check from the USDA to purchase a high-tech truck driving training simulator.
The USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) will cover the majority of the cost of the simulator. The College will cover the remaining $25,000 for the purchase. This is in addition to the more than $950,000 in matching funds the College has already invested in the Commercial Truck Driving (CTD) program over the past four years.
According to USDA Rural Development officials, this project is expected to create or save 120 jobs.
“These funds are like seed money, and from each dollar jobs will sprout,” said Workman. “I like that kind of investment.”
On average, 25 students graduate from Moultrie Tech’s CTD program during each 10-week class session. Graduates go on to test for their Commercial Drivers License (CDL).
According to MTC Commercial Truck Driving instructor Richard Tucker, to date the College boasts a 100 percent pass rate on the CDL test. The simulator will serve to solidify that number.
Tucker says with the help of the new simulator, students will be “so far advanced” when they enter the cab of an actual truck for the 12 hours of required driving.
Features included in the Doron 550 Truck Driving Simulator System are a 10-speed manual transmission, the TrueSteer digital steering system, three plasma flat screen displays with 190 degree field of view, an instructor console, a dispatch radio system, and pre-recorded audio scenario descriptions as well as CDL scenarios.
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MTC’s Tifton Campus showcases one of its beautiful Commercial Truck Driving training vehicles. |
MTC Commercial Truck Driving instructors Kenny Rogers and Richard Tucker explain the job market for truck drivers to an interested Senator Chambliss and MTC Board member Kent Hamilton. |
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U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss tries his hand at truck driving! |
