Arkansas Trucking Academy

A first for the education system here in Arkansas as 2 educational systems came together to create Arkansas’ first and only public trucking academy. The Arkansas Trucking Academy is a combined effort of ASU Three Rivers, UA Cossatot, UA Rich Mountain, and UA Hope/Texarkana. Gov. Asa Hutchinson himself was present this week at the launch of the program saying, “This is another pace-setting workforce solution that has grown out of conversations between leaders in industry and education. Arkansas’s business had a problem, our educators stepped in to fill it, and we are able to support it with an Arkansas Regional Workforce grant. It’s a  model for partnerships between the private sector and government. Because of that, we soon will be putting more trucks on the road with first-rate drivers at the wheel.” Through virtual instruction, traditional classroom, and over-the-road instruction, students will receive 160 hours of training per course. Completion of the course prepares students to test for their Commercial Driver’s License. The maximum cost per student is $1,300, saving students thousands compared to the cost of a private academy. Arkansas is number 1 in the country per capita employed in the trucking industry and with a current driver shortage this opportunity which averages a salary of $45,000 annually helps to break some barriers that people face when they consider the trucking industry. The first course will begin August 2nd. For more information or to apply visit ArkTruckingAcademy.com