In an effort to help satisfy the need to fill truck driver jobs, Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. donated a tractor to the Johnston Community College Truck Driving School in support of the school’s driver training program for soldiers. The school’s eight-week program is geared toward helping exiting military members and their spouses earn a commercial driver’s license. The first of the school’s six courses kicked off this month at Fort Bragg.
Sam Faucette, Old Dominion’s vice president of safety and compliance, indicated that this donation is a win not only for the school and for veterans attending it, but for his company as well.
“Former military members are ideal employees who have already proven their commitment and dedication,” he said. “We look forward to welcoming many of the graduates of this program to the Old Dominion family.”
Old Dominion employs more than 900 former military members in various capacities companywide.
Each eight-week course at Johnston is limited to 16 participants. The course, which would normally cost more than $1,000, is offered at no charge to veterans; however, participants are responsible for paying an estimated $120 in fees, which includes a five-year North Carolina commercial driver’s license.
The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) is funding the program using a grant it received in 2010 from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Old Dominion was one of three commercial carriers to donate equipment to Johnston Community College for the training. The next eight-week program starts in October, and classes continue through September 2014.