Four Robeson Community College students recently completed the new Behind the Wheel B to A class and will enter the workforce as truck drivers, helping address a national shortage in the profession.
Courtesy photo | Robeson Community College
LUMBERTON — Robeson Community College recently added a new course to its lineup of transportation courses: Behind the Wheel B to A. The class was added as an attempt to get more truck drivers in the pipeline, as the American Trucking Association estimates that there is a shortage of 80,000 drivers nationwide, which is expected to double by 2031.
The Behind the Wheel B to A class is a four-week program for those who have a valid commercial learner’s permit. The class includes the pre-trip inspection, range and road driving portions of the Truck Driver Training program at RCC. It is recommended that those who enroll have experience with manual transmissions (clutch and shifting gears) and towing.
A Class A license is considered the “universal” CDL, providing the opportunity to drive multiple types of commercial trucks and tractor trailers, whereas Class B allows operation of different types of vehicles, such as straight trucks and dump trucks, but is more limiting than a Class A. Four students graduated from the class — Bo’queishia Anderson, Tyreek Hall, James Knox, and Phil Wilson — each completed the requirements necessary and will enter the workforce as truck drivers.
“A huge congratulations to our very first B To A Class Graduates at Robeson Community College,” said Braxton Ballard, the CDL Academy Coordinator. “They completed the four-week course, which offers Class B drivers the ability to seamlessly transition to Class A.”
Classes for truck driving are in high demand at Robeson Community College. Registrations are currently being accepted for additional B to A classes, as well as the full, complete Truck Driving program. Classes have been scheduled out for a year in advance to better meet the needs and schedule of students.
To learn more or to register, please contact Ballard at 910-272-3661, [email protected], or visit us online at https://www.robeson.edu/coned/transportation/.
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