A staff report
Bladen County, Bladen Community College (BCC) is proud to announce the first graduates of its Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) program, led by instructor Rick Whitaker. Last week, Whitaker celebrated the achievements of Barry McCoy, Curtis Bellamy, and Kristian Revels, the pioneering graduates of this program.
“Congratulations to Barry McCoy, Curtis Bellamy, and Kristian Revels,” said Whitaker, recognizing their hard work and dedication. BCC also celebrated this milestone with a social media post, stating, “We are so proud of their perseverance and for making history as the first graduates in this program, starting it off with a 100% pass rate.”
LaToya Adams, a fan of the program, commended the instructor’s role, stating, “They had the best instructor, Rick Whitaker.”
Last July, Amanda Lee, Ph.D., President of Bladen Community College, announced a strategic partnership with Fayetteville Technical Community College to address the nationwide truck driver shortage. This collaboration aims to fill gaps in the transportation industry by providing comprehensive training to aspiring truck drivers.
Dr. Lee and her staff expressed their gratitude for the partnership in a media post, “Thanks to our partnership with Fayetteville Technical Community College for making this possible.”
The CDL program at BCC equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to pass the CDL examination successfully. The curriculum covers essential topics such as hours of service reporting, pre-trip/post-trip inspections, driving practice, trip planning, and DMV testing. This thorough preparation ensures that students are well-prepared to excel in the competitive commercial truck driving industry.
The CDL program offers a promising career pathway, with North Carolina CDL drivers earning an average of $64,924 to $98,836 yearly. Whitaker expressed optimism for the program’s future, stating, “We hope to have more students enroll in this program so we can have the need for a full-time instructor position.”
To enroll in the program, students must be at least 18 years old and obtain a CDL Class “A” permit from their state of licensing. Additionally, applicants must present evidence of a negative drug screening from the last thirty days.
For more information, contact Mr. David Brisson, the program director, via email at dbrisson@bladencc.edu or by phone at 910-879-5611.
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