Ivy Tech Community College Lafayette And 160 Driving Academy To Host Ribbon Cutting For The Cdl Driver Training Program At Lafayette Campus

A partnership between Ivy Tech Community College Lafayette and 160 Driving Academy aims to get more trained truck drivers on the road. Ivy Tech will host a ribbon cutting ceremony, open house, and career fair in partnership with the 160 Driving Academy on Tuesday, September 12th on the Ivy Tech campus from 3 to 6 p.m. The ribbon cutting will take place at 3 p.m. with an open house and career fair immediately following. The event is sponsored by Maximus Group.

“Ivy Tech is proud to partner with 160 Driving Academy to provide hands-on CDL training for our students, including classroom and drive time,” said Aaron Baute, Ivy Tech Lafayette chancellor. Since March of 2023, 63 students have enrolled in the program, 87% of which have successfully completed their CDL licensure. “We are pleased to be an integral part of providing quality CDL training to help meet the demand for professional truck drivers in the greater Lafayette area,” Baute said.

Commercial truck driving is one of today’s fastest growing career paths. The trucking industry needs an estimated 400,000 new drivers every year. “To be able to work with students in-house and utilize the campus for the driving portion of the training makes everything seamless,” said Jadyn Minniear, 160 Driving Academy branch manager.

160 Driving Academy offers continuous job placement opportunities for students and graduates which allows graduates to launch their careers as soon as they secure their licensure. Learning from their invaluable experience, students feel confident and prepared upon graduating from this program and beginning their new career.

Students complete this program in four weeks, and it includes comprehensive classroom instructions, extensive drive time with an instructor, and maximum behind-the-wheel training. There is funding available through Next Level Jobs Workforce Ready Grant. To learn more about the program or funding options, please contact [email protected].