FRC & Sierra Pacific Industries Partner Up With New Commercial Driver’s License Program

Feather River College and Sierra Pacific Industries Partner Up to Address Local Workforce Training Needs

Quincy, CA – In an effort to meet local labor market demand, Feather River College (FRC) is now offering a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) program. Through a valuable collaboration with Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI), Feather River College will have access to one of SPI’s manual semi-truck and trailers to utilize as a training tool for students interested in a career in transportation and trucking. The program entails two classes offered during the spring semester, with an emphasis on log and timber truck driving.

This new course will provide students with the basic skills to obtain a Commercial Class A Driver’s License. FRC will work in partnership with Sierra Pacific Industries to provide a truck and driving instructor to ensure students learn the safe operations, pre-operation inspections, and components of the DMV Class A Driver’s license exam.

Jared Morris, the FRC instructor who will be teaching this course, had this to say about the opportunity, “Living in a rural area like Plumas County, commercial trucking is the backbone of our core industries; timber and agriculture. This class is a great addition to our community because it provides local residents with the opportunity to earn their license in a much more affordable way than attending an out-of-town driving school, and provides local employers with the trained, qualified drivers they are looking for.”

This training would not be made possible without the partnership of Sierra Pacific Industries. “Sierra Pacific Industries recognizes the value of educational programs like Feather River College’s Class A licensing course and how it can provide direct pathways for students to employment in local industries like ours. Offering affordable training courses to our county residents will produce a skilled workforce that can support local business here in our rural communities”, states Joe Nelson, SPI Trucking Division Manager.

In addition to the support of loaning equipment, SPI will also offer extra hours of driving time to students outside of the classroom so they can gain valuable experience driving in a commercial setting with a variety of different loads and road types. At the end of the semester, CDL program students will have the opportunity to take their Class A Driver’s License exam. If they pass, they will have an unrestricted California Class A license and the ability to pursue a lucrative career.

This partnership between Sierra Pacific Industries and Feather River College is a demonstration of local organizations coming together to address local workforce needs. FRC is hopeful that this new partnership will open up even more opportunities to help serve our local community. Kevin Trutna, Superintendent/President at Feather River College commented that, “FRC is grateful for our partnership with SPI. This exciting new program will assist in bringing more skilled jobs to Plumas County”.