Sampson Community College recently received certification of its truck driver training course from the Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI). PTDI, a standards-setting and certification body, verified the school’s excellence through an intense review. The rigorous process ensures high-quality training for entry-level truck drivers. With its new certification, Sampson Community College exceeds all government minimum training requirements.
Founded in 1986 as a nonprofit organization, PTDI has long recognized the need to ensure that entry-level commercial motor vehicle drivers are responsible, safe professionals who adhere to established industry standards. As a result, the organization facilitated the development of skill, curriculum, and certification standards by bringing together representatives from various industry stakeholders, including driver training schools and trucking safety interest groups. These industry leading standards ensure that students are adequately trained to safely handle the demands of the truck driving profession.
“We are very excited to award Sampson Community College a PTDI certification. They join an exclusive group of programs who are committed to driver professionalism and the highest quality training available,” commented Tim Blum, Executive Director of PTDI.
“Completing this certification is evidence of our continued commitment towards hosting a program that is rigorous and holds each student to a high standard. Safety is always top priority for the student, the instructor and other drivers on the highways,” states Amanda Bradshaw, Dean of Workforce Development & Continuing Education.
“I have been fortunate to work with Sampson Community College and grow this program for the past 14 years,” says Fred Stamey, Director of Transportation Programs. “I have worked diligently to make this the best Truck Driver Training School in the state and one of the best in the country. I am very proud of what we have accomplished getting this industry standard certification from PTDI.”
PHOTO/CREDIT: Karen Lombardi, one of the Truck Driver Training program’s instructors. (Michael Blankenship)
To earn certification Sampson Community College was required to demonstrate how it meets the gold standard of truck driver training. PTDI requires minimum training hours even though the U.S. federal government does not. Hallmarks of the PTDI standards include: truth-in-advertising; training from qualified instructors who receive ongoing professional development; effective student, instructor and vehicle ratios; good quality and well-maintained vehicles, professional classroom and range conditions, a minimum 148 hours of combined instruction, 44 hours of student hands-on-the-wheel driving instruction; and a minimum of 80% pass rate on classroom tests and driving assessments.
PTDI standards and certification promote a variety of valuable interests and objectives, including enhanced safety for the motoring public, reduced risk exposure for insurance companies and motor carriers, minimal remedial driver training time, improved sense of driver professionalism, and enhanced student driver opportunities.
For additional information contact Fred Stamey, Director of Transportation at 910-592-7176 or PTDI at 720-575-7445, info@ptdi.org, www.ptdi.org.
PTDI is a nonprofit organization established for developing uniform entry-level truck driver training and motor carrier driver finishing standards. Widely known as the gold standard for driver training best practices, PTDI helps organizations fully prepare their drivers for the responsibility of operating a heavy vehicle on our roadways. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, PTDI Certified training courses can be found throughout North America.
About Sampson Community College: Sampson Community College is a member of the North Carolina Community College System, located in Clinton, NC in Sampson County. The college offers many programs to include two-year degrees, college transfer, continuing education and workforce development options, and early college education.
