According to the American Trucking Association, trucking companies in the United States suffered a record deficit of 80,000 drivers last year. Given that trucks move more than 70% of American freight, a lack of drivers spells substantial disruption. This shortage impacts our supply chain, and creates challenges for those in the industry—whether they are behind the wheel or behind a desk.

In fall 2022, EICC added two automatic transmission trucks to our fleet. Training with automatic trucks can be done faster, enabling the program to serve an increased number of students. In addition, when the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) established new minimum training standards for drivers earlier this year, we were ready to assist companies with the most up-to-date information.

For these reasons and more, Clinton, Iowa warehousing and trucking business, Clausen Companies, turned to EICC when they needed to train new drivers.

“The college has been fantastic to work with and has an incredible knowledge base related to DOT regulations and practical driver applications, which has really helped guide us in the right direction,” said Joni Hinsch, Clausen Companies Human Resources Manager.

In the hands-on program, students learn everything from Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) requirements to defensive driving techniques to truck maintenance and inspections. CDL testing is also offered onsite by state certified examiners.

“We appreciate the partnership,” Hinsch said. “EICC’s Truck Driving Program Manager, Tom Monroe, has been a valuable resource for us and continues to support our organization.”

EICC is looking for innovative solutions for our truck driving program

For community colleges across the state, the shortage of drivers means even greater difficulty finding trainers to help meet the growing need.

We’re looking for professional drivers who are willing to share their knowledge to help newcomers enter this high-demand field. If you or someone you know is interested in working locally, has some flexibility of scheduling, and is passionate about the industry, we’d love to talk.

We also need space for additional training. If you have an empty lot available, we’d appreciate the opportunity to make good use of it as a DOT approved driving/testing range.

To learn more, contact Tom Monroe,
Truck Driving Program Manager,
at wmonroe@eicc.edu or 563-441-4217.