Washington – U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor and U.S. Representative Marion Berry (AR-01) today announced that Arkansas State University- Newport will receive a $74,072 U.S. Department of Transportation grant for its Arkansas Commercial Driver Training Institute to provide instruction for an additional 35 to 40 students.
The Arkansas Commercial Driver Training Institute provides a four-week course for entry-level students that includes written and behind-the-wheel instruction to prepare them for jobs as commercial truck drivers.
“Our businesses rely on commercial drivers to transport their goods and I am pleased that Arkansas State University- Newport will be able to train more students for jobs in the transportation industry,” Lincoln said. “The widespread availability of job training programs is critical to strengthening our economy in Arkansas, and I applaud this investment that will help grow our state’s economy.”
“Workforce training programs are critical in matching job-seekers with fast-growing industries who need well-trained employees. These federal dollars will help Arkansans obtain the skills they need to qualify for good jobs in the commercial trucking industry, and that’s a win-win program for our state,” Pryor said.
“Trucking plays an enormous role in promoting the health of our local economies,” Berry said. “Without trained drivers to ship goods and raw materials to and from businesses, our communities would be lost. I am happy we are acknowledging this important job through the funding of additional training.”
“I want to thank Senators Lincoln and Pryor and Congressman Berry for their support in obtaining the Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Training Grant for $74,072 to Arkansas State University-Newport. These funds, which otherwise would not have been available, will allow us to provide workforce training for Arkansans. This training will increase the number of qualified workers in the transportation industry in the state. We estimate the support of this grant will provide instructional resources for 35 to 40 individuals,” said Larry N. Williams, Chancellor of Arkansas State University-Newport.
