In December, Volk Transfer of Mankato donated a Class A Commercial Motor Vehicle and Trailer to South Central Colleges (SCC) through the SCC Foundation. Since then, the truck has been used to provide behind-the-wheel training for the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) program offered through SCC’s Customized Workforce Education (CWE) division.
“It is with great excitement to be able to continue the Volk mission in supporting the Mankato region by donating a truck and trailer to SCC North Mankato Campus, to meet a critical need in their program and address the truck driver shortage across the region and nationwide,” said Volk President/CEO Troy Volk. “Our drivers at Volk are the heartbeat of our company and take great pride in driving for an organization that supports them as they deliver goods locally, nationally and globally.”
To show their appreciation for the Volk donation and showcase the CDL program, the Foundation proposed that CWE wrap the vehicle with graphics that celebrate truck driving. Finding the talent to design the vehicle wrap provided another opportunity for partnership.
“The SCC Foundation not only helped secure the truck donation, but they had the great idea to engage SCC’s graphic communications students in the design process and offered a scholarship to the student whose design was ultimately selected,” said CWE Director Kristin Underwood. This real-world student experience included creating various designs for the wrap and formally presenting them to officials from Volk, CWE, the SCC Foundation and others. The selection committee chose the design of Kaylee Witt for the final wrap, which was officially revealed at a ribbon cutting today.
“Collaboration is a hallmark of our region, and this partnership exemplifies teamwork at its finest,” said SCC President Annette Parker. “We are so grateful for the generous donation by Volk Transfer and to our Foundation and CWE division for leveraging it to enhance the experience of our CDL students and increase the number of licensed drivers in the region.”
The CDL program offered through SCC’s CWE division is customized to meet the needs of individuals and businesses with the theory portion of the training offered both in-person and online.
Participants can complete behind-the-wheel requirements either at the college’s North Mankato campus or at their place of business. Students can start the CDL program at any time and schedule their in-person behind-the-wheel training at a time that works best for them. The training offered by SCC’s Customized Workforce Education division meets the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements. The requirements were implemented in February 2022. SCC’s program is also WIOA certified allowing state or federal funds to be applied to the program when working through the Minnesota WorkForce Council.
“We have been working hard for several months to get this donation made and feel this will be a great addition to our region in getting people qualified to get behind the wheel with a proper CDL,” said Volk. “We are very pleased with being able to do our part in getting this program in place which is such a great need.”
More information on the Commercial Driver’s License program available through South Central College’s Customized Workforce Education is available at www.southcentral.edu/cdl.
