Johnston Community College First in State to Offer Truck Driver Training to High School Seniors

Johnston Community College (JCC) is the first community college in the state to offer truck driver training through the Career and College Promise (CCP) dual-enrollment program for high school students.

Students who wish to apply to the truck driver training pathway must be high school seniors who will turn 18 years old by April 30th of their graduating year. Graduates of the program will earn a certificate from JCC and will be prepared to take a Commercial Driver License road test.

North Carolina drivers with a CDL between the ages of 18 and 21 can drive within state lines. JCC expects this training to be a boon to the regional economy.

“If we can train a pipeline of graduates who are ready to drive tractor-trailers when they turn 18, they can get the three years of road experience needed to drive for big companies as soon as they turn 21,” says Maxie Kirby, department chair of advanced technologies and truck driver training at JCC.

“We believe this is a game changer for the logistics industry in Johnston County,” Kirby adds.

“For the last 50 years, we have operated the first Truck Driver Training School established in this country,” says Dr. Vern L. Lindquist, president of Johnston Community College.

“Now, we are the only community college in the state offering this tuition-free training to high school seniors,” Lindquist adds.

College and Career Promise is a statewide dual-enrollment program, which allows high school students to earn college credit. JCC has nearly 30 pathways of study for students to choose from and applications for Summer and Fall of 2024 are open through March 27, 2024.

Johnston County Public School students, students from outside the county, or students who attend private, home, or charter schools are eligible for CCP as long as they meet the other requirements. For more information or to apply, visit www.johnstoncc.edu.