In 2018, Hinds Community College partnered with KLLM Transport Services and the U.S. Department of Labor to establish a Truck Driver Registered Apprenticeship program. This April, the partners reached a significant milestone of 1,000 apprentices completing the registered apprenticeship program.

“KLLM is committed to having the safest truck drivers on the road and ensuring from the beginning they are set up for a successful career in the industry,” said Kirk Blankenship, vice president of driver resources and logistics at KLLM. “This apprenticeship program provides an intentionally structured training model. Apprentices receive a completion certificate from the U.S. Department of Labor as a nice accolade at the conclusion of the program.”

The Hinds-sponsored apprenticeship with KLLM is a one-year program. A new cohort of truck driver apprentices starts each week. The apprenticeship involves both classroom and on-the-job training components. Apprentices earn a wage increase after achieving required benchmarks and their tuition is fully covered upon completion of the program.

“KLLM has made a substantial investment to partner with Hinds and enhance professional truck driving career opportunities over the years,” said Josh Bower, dean of agriculture and transportation and director of talent, workforce, and economic development at Hinds. “The success of the registered apprenticeship program is another example of the positive impact our students benefit from through the KLLM Driving Academy.”

Hinds previously received a multi-year Mississippi Apprenticeship Program (MAP) grant through the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES). This grant assisted with establishing and maintaining the KLLM truck driver apprenticeship program. The MAP grant ended last year, but the Hinds team looks forward to collaborating with MDES on future grant opportunities to support the KLLM apprenticeship program.

“I extend my congratulations and sincere thanks to everyone who helped reach the milestone of 1,000 apprentice completions. This achievement highlights the vital role public-private partnerships play in advancing nationally recognized programs like the KLLM Truck Driver Registered Apprenticeship,” MDES Executive Director Bill Ashley said. “It’s also fitting that this milestone was reached on April 30 — National Apprenticeship Day.”

This article was originally published here.