HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. - Central Piedmont Community College is helping people get a job in a struggling industry. 

• There was a shortage of 60,800 truck drivers last year, according to a recent report
• Central Piedmont Community College is helping by offering CDL classes
• The school is training more than 120 people a year

The American Trucking Association says in 2018, there was a shortage of 60,800 truck drivers. To help fill that need, CPCC now offers a Commercial Drivers License course. 

The class runs from eight to 16 weeks and gives students hundreds of hours of behind-the-wheel training. 

David Favre is the Division Director for the Transport Systems Technology with CPCC. He says the school started the program three years ago with only 12 students. Now, they're training more than 120 people a year. 

"When the class opens, our classes are filled in 10 to 15 minutes," Favre said. "One of the employers has come to us and said they need every one of our students every cycle."

Students like Marcell Boyce say the new training gives people a great opportunity to enter into a new field, and one that can provide financial stability. 

"I'm looking forward to getting out, seeing more of the country, something I haven't done in the past, and actually being able to have a skill that provides a service to thousands, if not millions of Americans," Boyce said.  

For more information on signing up for the CDL class, click here.