South Central College and Riverland Community College announced a partnership to bring a truck driving program to South Central’s North Mankato Campus.

The 16-week 22-credit college certificate program will prepare student to earn their Class A Commercial Driver’s License with hazmat, tanker, doubles, triples and passenger endorsements upon completion. As a for-credit program they also receive a college certificate at the highest value possible. Students also develop skills and experience during paid internships with area motor carriers who in many cases also become prospective employers.

Both institutions are part of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU), which includes seven universities and 24 community and technical colleges throughout Minnesota.

Collaborations like this are among the greatest strengths of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, said Dr. Annette Parker, president of South Central College.

“We recognized there was a serious need for a truck driving program in our region, and rather than reinvent the wheel, we partnered with a fellow institution who had already been successfully offering
the program,” she said in a press release.

Riverland has offered a truck driving program on its Austin Campus for 30 years and is joining with SCC to offer the same top-rated instruction in North Mankato.

“Riverland’s truck driving coursework is a best in class example in our career programming,” said Riverland President Dr. Adenuga Atewologun in a press release. “This collaboration allows us to take a program that has produced successful truck drivers since 1986 and provide more training in southern Minnesota. It also provides a collaborative model that will allow our colleges to better serve regional workforce needs.”

Commercial truck drivers are in high demand throughout Minnesota. Long distance truck drivers make an average $30,000 to $35,000 salary in their first year and more than $40,000 the second year.

The first session of the program at South Central College will start in June. The next session at Riverland’s Austin campus begins in August. For more information about the truck driving program at South Central College, visit www.southcentral.edu/truckdriving and at Riverland, visit www.riverland.edu/truckdriving.