With three ports of entry, trucking is the lifeblood of international commerce and the economy in Starr County, according to Rose Benavidez, chairwoman of South Texas College Board of Trustees and president of Starr County Industrial Foundation.
That’s why Rio Grande City Grulla ISD board members have approved a new partnership with STC to provide CDL training in Starr County this summer.
“There is little doubt that in these uncertain economic times, our responsibility to maximize options for our students has never been more important,” Benavidez said. “At South Texas College, we pride ourselves in building partnerships and collaborations that are designed to solve problems and meet current demands in training and job opportunities and this CDL program will do both.”
Focusing On Parents as Students
Rio Grande City Grulla ISD approved an Afterschool Centers in Education Grant that provides the funding for the pilot program to take place July 11 through Aug. 12. The program aims to recruit parents of children in ACE who may be seeking to earn CDL certification.
The Texas ACE program is one of the largest programs in the country, serving over 180,000 students at nearly 1,000 sites. The program provides no-cost activities before and after school and during summer for K–12 students in Title I schools. Federal funding comes through 21st Century Community Learning Centers. The Texas Education Association administers the program at the state level.
Funding from the ACE grant will subcontract STC instructors to teach the CDL course. Tersa Logistics will provide the trucks.
“We’re excited to provide this opportunity, especially in this commercial area where trucking can meet an incredible range of demands,” said South Texas College President Ricardo J. Solis. “When I started, the first thing that was emphasized to me was to make sure that Starr County would be able to grow and succeed, especially in the area of commerce and international trade.”
CDL Training Details
The program will consist of 200 hours of truck-driving training to parents in the district’s four granted schools. This includes Grulla High School, Ringgold Middle School, Grulla Middle School and Veterans Middle School.
“Through this grant we ensure a better livelihood for our parents,” said Adelina Villarreal, director of Career and Technical Education at Rio Grande City Grulla ISD. “This pilot program with STC is the first of its kind … and if it all works out with the parents, then maybe we can begin offering it to students through Career and Technical Education.”
The program comes on the heels of an STC announcement to expand a new CDL program in Starr County this fall.
STC announced in May that it was growing its partnership with international ground transportation leader Trancasa by bringing a new commercial driver’s license program to Starr County in order to address a growing demand for drivers in the industry.
The college is still in the process of enrolling students for the five-week program. It will consist of 40 hours of classroom and computer lab instruction. Students will also complete 160 hours of observation and driving on a training range and public roads.
“We thank RGCGISD for their trust and support to develop programming that provides our residents training for potential meaningful employment,” Benavidez said. “We look forward to joining them in ensuring that this pilot program is a success.”