Hitting the road with the Mobile Truck Driving Lab
Skills Gap
By Anna Lavigne
October 28, 2025
“Having the mobile lab helps us with being able to deliver great training experiences all around our region, matching the quality of our Appleton campus,” says Jake Steinbrink, team lead – driver trainer. This makes truck driving training more accessible to students who may not be able to travel to Appleton for classes.
The Mobile Truck Driving Lab is equipped with state-of-the-art simulators and technology that mirror what students experience driving a real semi-truck. It plays an important role in expanding access and promoting career opportunities in the transportation industry.
“We’re always looking for ways to deliver enhanced technology to our regional center communities, and this does just that,” Steinbrink explains. “It also allows us to use this as a marketing tool to let all of our communities know that we are serious about being able to put back into the communities and our goals of supporting local economies.”
In addition to offering expanded access, FVTC provides grant opportunities for students in both Appleton and regional center locations. These grants vary based on financial need and personal circumstances, helping remove barriers for those ready to start a new career.
The creation of the mobile lab was a true campus collaboration, with several FVTC departments lending their expertise. “It took teamwork from our truck driving, diesel, electrical and fabrication departments to build what we have today. This lab will serve many current and future students in our communities.”
This article originally was posted here.
