CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Central Piedmont Community College was awarded nearly $250,000 to help get more truck drivers trained.

The North Carolina Trucking Association Foundation, in collaboration with the North Carolina Community College System, established the Truck Driver Shortage Grant Program.

What You Need To Know

  • State CDL programs are eligible for grant money

  • There is a truck driving shortage

  • Central Piedmont Community College was awarded almost $250,000 through one of these grants

They are awarding $2 million to community colleges across North Carolina to help with commercial driver's license (CDL) programs. The goal is to license more truck drivers.

The American Trucking Associations said there was a shortage of 80,000 truck drivers in 2021. They also say that more than 70% of all commercial freight is moved by trucks. 

Central Piedmont Community College was one of multiple schools in the state to receive a grant to help with their CDL program.

CDL Instructor Michael Lee says the grant money will help them hire more instructors, buy more trucks and double enrollment.

“We’ll come close to 300 students per year, per calendar year,” he said.

Colleges must apply for the grant.

Central Piedmont is one of 34 colleges in North Carolina that offer truck driver training programs.