Terra State to offer truck driving training at Fremont campus

Terra State to offer truck driving training at Fremont campus Terra State Community College is expanding its partnership with Trainco Inc. Truck Driving Schools to offer training at the Fremont campus. Terra has been working with Trainco since 2013, but the classes for the program were previously at Trainco's headquarters in Perrysburg. Before 2013, Terra State had its own truck driving program, so there's still an existing training pad behind the maintenance building. It's in working condition, so Trainco classes will take place there. In addition to truck driving training, Trainco will also offer forklift operation training at Terra State's campus. "Terra State is pleased to host Trainco on our campus," said Dr. Andrew Shella, dean of the technology and skilled trades division. "This is a great opportunity to provide CDL training to our community and our service district more conveniently located for students and employers." Students living to the east of Fremont used to have to make a 45 minute or more trek to Perrysburg for truck driving training. The new program on campus will eliminate a great deal of that commute time. Trainco offers CDL-A training that can be completed in as little as three weeks. The program offers day, evening, and weekend classes, as well as assistance with immediate job placement. Additionally, the truck driving program is worth 6.5 college credits, which can be used towards a full degree at Terra State. As for forklift operation, OSHA certification and an authorized forklift driver card are awarded after a single four-hour class. The class costs $259 and runs one day per month. "Now, the new hybrid truck driver is called a combination worker," said Ken Howell, Trainco president. "These combination workers have to load and unload their trucks, so it is especially important to have both a CDL-A and the forklift certificate as truck driving evolves." Truck driving classes start on March 8; to register, call Trainco at (419) 837-5730. For forklift operation certification, call Terra State's Kern Center at (419) 559-2464.