The Coca-Cola Company Tuesday announced it was donating $1 million to the truck driver training program of the state's college system.
Company officials say they hope the donation will result in the state’s Technical College System hiring 11 full-time and two part-time instructors at some of its schools.
By creating 11 new full-time instructor roles and two part-time instructor roles, this investment supports TCSG’s greatest need, recruiting and retaining talented trainers, according to a statement on the company's website.In addition, the donation supplements the $8.32 million of support from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund, which will provide facility upgrades, with the goal of doubling enrollment of commercial drivers across Georgia from 1,705 to 3,410 in 2023.
The company said that with its donation, it aims to ensure more drivers are in the pipeline to help fill trucking industry jobs with local Coca-Cola bottler Coca-Cola UNITED and other businesses across the state. Currently, there are over 80 open commercial driving positions at Coca-Cola UNITED.
“As residents and businesses across the state work to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to invest in our communities and provide opportunities that will improve the lives of our fellow Georgians,” said Alfredo Rivera, president of The Coca-Cola Company’s North America operating unit. “We are proud of our Georgia roots and will continue to do our part to keep Georgia strong.
The expansion of the Commercial Truck Driving program at TCSG will allow more commercial truck drivers to enter the industry, helping to ensure the continued transport of goods upon which businesses and consumers rely across the state. Individuals who are interested in earning their commercial driver’s license often can complete the program in 10 weeks or fewer at one of TCSG’s 36 locations across the state.
“Despite the challenges of the last two years, the trucking industry remained steadfast as a foundational driver of the nation’s economy, delivering essential goods to help businesses stay open and to reopen,” said Mark Rahiya, Chief Supply Chain, Technical and Innovation Officer for the Coca-Cola Company. “By supporting TCSG’s Commercial Truck Driving Program trainers and faculty, we’re making sure the next generation of drivers gets a world-class education while simultaneously working to address the driver shortage and provide opportunity for Georgians.”
To raise awareness of TCSG’s Commercial Truck Driving Program and related career opportunities, The Coca-Cola Company is rolling out the “Delivering the Future: The Coca-Cola System & Technical College System of Georgia Truck Tour.”
Next month the Coca-Cola truck will make stops in five communities across the state. The free tour will offer entertainment, refreshments, and activities along with the opportunity to learn about Coca-Cola UNITED job opportunities and TCSG’s Commercial Truck Driving Program enrollment process.
Tour dates and locations:
- Vidalia – Tuesday, May 17 – 11 a.m.-1p.m.
- Southeastern Technical College (Vidalia Campus) 3001 E. First Street, Vidalia
- Macon - Wednesday, May 18 – 11 a.m.-1p.m.
- Central Georgia Technical College (Macon Campus) 3300 Macon Tech Drive, Macon
- Savannah – Thursday, May 19 – 4p.m.-6 p.m.
- Savannah Technical College (Savannah Campus) 5717 White Bluff Road, Savannah, GA 31405
- Athens – Wednesday, May 25 – 11 a.m.-1 p.m..
- Athens Technical College 800 US Hwy 29 North, Athens, GA 30601
- Tifton – Thursday, May 26 – 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Southern Regional Technical College (Tifton Campus) 52 Tech Drive, Tifton, GA 31794
