The Permian Strategic Partnership and Odessa College announced the expansion of the Odessa College Truck Driving Academy Wednesday during a press conference. The partnership brings over $3.5 million into the Odessa College Truck Driving Academy. College officials said these funds will support 94 additional students annually by providing scholarships and adding trucks, trailers and instructors to the Odessa College campuses in Odessa, Pecos and Andrews.
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Two trucking rigs used to train students at the Odessa College Truck Driving Academy sit in the parking lot during a press conference Wednesday. Odessa College recently announced the expansion of the Odessa College Truck Driving Academy. According to college officials, there is a significant shortage of CDL-certified drivers in the Permian Basin, with the Department of Public Safety estimating 66 percent of commercial vehicles in the Basin are out of compliance. In 2022, 4,000 new CDL job postings were created in the Permian Basin alone.(B Kay Richter/Odessa American)
Tracee Bentley, president and CEO of the Permian Strategic Partnership, gives an address during a press conference announcing the expansion of the Odessa College Truck Driving Academy, Jan. 18, 2023. The initiative gives over $3.5 million into the Truck Driving Academy. (B Kay Richter/Odessa American)
Jacqui Gore, the vice president of Advancement for Odessa College, displays the check for the Odessa College Truck Driving Academy during a press conference on Wednesday. The initiative between the college and Permian Strategic Partnership gives over $3.5 million into the Truck Driving Academy. (B Kay Richter/Odessa American)
Mike Brunstein discusses road safety during the press conference announcing the expansion of the Odessa College Truck Driving Academy. The initiative gives over $3.5 million into the Truck Driving Academy. (B Kay Richter/Odessa American)
Jacqui Gore, the vice president of Advancement for Odessa College, addresses the crowd during a press conference on Wednesday. The initiative between the college and Permian Strategic Partnership gives over $3.5 million into the Truck Driving Academy. (B Kay Richter/Odessa American)
William Church, director of the Odessa College Truck Driving Academy, speaks during the press conference announcing the expansion of the Odessa College Truck Driving Academy. According to college officials, there is a significant shortage of CDL-certified drivers in the Permian Basin, with the Department of Public Safety estimating 66 percent of commercial vehicles in the Basin are out of compliance. In 2022, 4,000 new CDL job postings were created in the Permian Basin alone.(B Kay Richter/Odessa American)
Celeste Venegas, a recent graduate of the Odessa College Truck Driving Academy shares her success story during the press conference Wednesday announcing the expansion of the Odessa College Truck Driving Academy.(B Kay Richter/Odessa American)
Jacqui Gore, the vice president of Advancement for Odessa College, addresses the crowd during a press conference on Wednesday. The initiative between the college and Permian Strategic Partnership gives over $3.5 million into the Truck Driving Academy. (B Kay Richter/Odessa American)
Greg Williams, president of Odessa College, addresses the crowd Wednesday during the press conference announcing the expansion of the Odessa College Truck Driving Academy. The initiative gives over $3.5 million into the Truck Driving Academy. (B Kay Richter/Odessa American)
Two trucking rigs used to train students at the Odessa College Truck Driving Academy sit in the parking lot during a press conference Wednesday. Odessa College recently announced the expansion of the Odessa College Truck Driving Academy. According to college officials, there is a significant shortage of CDL-certified drivers in the Permian Basin, with the Department of Public Safety estimating 66 percent of commercial vehicles in the Basin are out of compliance. In 2022, 4,000 new CDL job postings were created in the Permian Basin alone.(B Kay Richter/Odessa American)
Two trucking rigs used to train students at the Odessa College Truck Driving Academy sit in the parking lot during a press conference Wednesday. Odessa College recently announced the expansion of the Odessa College Truck Driving Academy. According to college officials, there is a significant shortage of CDL-certified drivers in the Permian Basin, with the Department of Public Safety estimating 66 percent of commercial vehicles in the Basin are out of compliance. In 2022, 4,000 new CDL job postings were created in the Permian Basin alone.
(B Kay Richter/Odessa American)
Students enter the Odessa College Truck Driving Academy Wednesday afternoon directly following a press conference. The college recently announced the expansion of the Odessa College Truck Driving Academy. According to college officials, there is a significant shortage of CDL-certified drivers in the Permian Basin, with the Department of Public Safety estimating 66 percent of commercial vehicles in the Basin are out of compliance.(B Kay Richter/Odessa American)
