The State of Illinois will provide $2.6 million for design and implementation of infrastructure improvements, which will create a new training site for the Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC) Truck Driver Training Program.
This investment will help meet the growing need for licensed commercial drivers, support local economic development, and provide stable career opportunities for Illinoisans, according to a statement from the governor’s office.
“Truck drivers are a crucial lynchpin of the supply chains that power our economy. With enormous demand for commercial driver’s license holders, Illinois is proudly building a skilled workforce to meet the moment,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This expansion at Lincoln Land Community College demonstrates how essential community college programs are to our workforce development, economic vitality, and the livelihoods of Illinois’ working families.”
Since its inception in 1998, LLCC’s Truck Driver Training Program has enrolled over 4,000 students, with 98.5% graduating and obtaining their commercial driver’s license, according to the governor’s office.
The State-supported expansion comes at a critical time; there is currently a three-month waitlist for student entry into the program due to limited space, preventing timely access to high-quality workforce training and employment in commercial truck driving — a field that is imperative to the regional economy and supply chains.
“Employers across our region consistently tell us they urgently need skilled, safety focused drivers, and that demand is evident in the strong employer interest we see even before our students graduate,” said Dr. Charlotte Warren, President of LLCC. “LLCC’s program is designed to prepare students to enter the workforce quickly while meeting the highest standards for safety and professionalism.”
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