Albany Technical College will enter into a three-year lease agreement with SouthernAG Carriers, Inc. during a ceremony on Monday, November 26 at 10:00 a.m. in Albany Technical College’s Logistics Education Center, Executive Board Room (second floor). Under the agreement, Albany Technical College will receive a “bobtail” tractor unit to use in educational services providing driver training and certification in the operation of tractor trailers. The vehicle will be leased from SouthernAG Carriers for one dollar ($1) per year.

By signing this lease agreement, Albany Technical College and SouthernAG Carriers have agreed to work together to meet a community and industry need to create a pool of trained, qualified commercial truck drivers through the Albany Transportation Academy and start them in a transportation career.

Albany Technical College agrees to use the vehicle only for purposes of training and maintain insurance and taxes associated with the operation of the vehicle. The tractor unit will remain the property of SouthernAG Carriers at all times and will be returned for maintenance every three months or 25,000 miles, whichever occurs first, for a period of three years.

Hugh Nall, President and CEO of SouthernAG Carriers, a trucking company in Albany, commented: “We’re really excited about this partnership with Albany Technical College. There is an immense shortage of truck drivers across the nation and we need to get ahead of it by addressing the training of new drivers right here in our community If we don’t do something then freight costs will increase exponentially in the coming years. We want to do all we can to support Albany Technical College and others involved in our region.  Partnerships like this will position us to meet these needs.”

Earlier this year, Albany Technical College, along with local industries and transportation carriers, “rolled out” the Albany Transportation Academy at Albany Technical College. Dr. Anthony Parker, Albany Technical College President, commented, “Establishing the Transportation Academy has increased our student capacity from 50 to 75 and the number of graduates per class from 150 to 225. In this career pathway, our graduates are seeing a 99 percent job placement rate and most students should begin earning from $30,000 to $50,000 a year.”

President, Dr. Anthony Parker, added, “It’s no secret that commercial truck drivers and diesel technicians are in high demand in our region and indeed across the country. The Transportation Academy has great potential to address and solve a twofold workforce need. By refocusing our efforts on career training in these strategic areas, we will present a path forward to those who reside in our community who are looking for a career that pays well and offers health benefits. With these jobs, a person can support themselves and their families and build a great future. The benefit to the community is that Transportation Academy graduates will provide local transportation companies with a qualified and trained pool of talent. This will ensure a robust system in our community to move the goods made here to market in a cost effective, competitive manner.”

Students can successfully complete the Commercial Truck Driving program, consisting of nine credit hours, in eight weeks. CDL classes are offered in day and evening formats throughout the week.

For eligible Georgia residents, the HOPE grant and HOPE Career grant will pay full tuition for Albany Transportation Academy programs. The entire list of requirements to enroll in the program can be found on the Albany Tech website, www.albanytech.edu, and also are available through the Admissions Department at Albany Tech.