One of four trucks purchased with TRUE Grant Funds
Victoria College has been awarded a $250,000 Texas Reskilling and Upskilling through Education (TRUE) grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to support the final phase of launching a new Truck Driving Program in Victoria and Gonzales.
The new five-week program will allow VC to train students in the safe operation of commercial vehicles and semi-trailers, preparing them to receive a Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL). The Texas Workforce Commission projects a 33 percent increase in truck driving jobs across all industries hiring truck drivers in the Golden Crescent region through 2030.
Since 2006, VC has offered truck driving training through a partnership with Houston Community College. The new program will allow VC more flexibility in scheduling training that meets the needs of the Crossroads community.
“We are grateful that our partnership with Houston Community College helped us meet the demand for well-trained truck drivers until now,” said Dr. Jennifer Kent, VC President. “We are excited to launch our own Truck Driving Program with TRUE grant funding to build a stronger workforce for the future by equipping students with skills to secure high-paying jobs in a growing industry.”
VC previously received a $115,000 TRUE grant in 2021 to purchase a state-of-the-art truck driving simulator, followed by a $515,200 TRUE grant in 2022 to purchase four semi-trucks and trailers.
This third grant will allow VC to hire qualified faculty, equip the truck driving simulation lab with instructor and student work stations, launch a recruitment campaign, and provide scholarships to reduce financial barriers for enrolled students. The project is fully funded by the TRUE grant.
Commercial truck drivers in the Golden Crescent region earn a median wage of $22.88 per hour, according to Lightcast. Employment in Texas is projected to grow by 22 percent from 2020 to 2030, representing a significant demand for qualified truck drivers.
VC will have the capacity to train up to eight students every five weeks when the program is launched in Victoria this spring before expanding to Gonzales.
For more information on VC’s Truck Driving Program, visit VictoriaCollege.edu/IndustrialTrades or call (361) 582-2528.