Kevin Burch, president of Dayton, Ohio-based Jet Express, drove a used tractor to Clark State Community College, where he donated the truck to be used in its Commercial Transportation Training Center in Springfield, Ohio.


"2009 has been a challenging time for all companies, industries and even for us 'truckers' this year," said Burch, who obtained his commercial drivers license last summer after taking a five-week training course at Clark State. "This is just a small way of helping the college teach our future men and women to become professional truck drivers."

Burch hopes the act will create awareness of the educational opportunities and draw more drivers into the trucking industry.

"This donation will enhance the CTTC program and provide the opportunity for students to be trained on a smaller student-to-instructor ratio, which will allow for more behind-the-wheel time," said Thomas Hicswa Jr., director of the Commercial Transportation Training Center.

With between 150 and 200 students a year, the Commercial Transportation Training Center has been preparing entry-level drivers for class "A" and "B" Commercial Driver's Licenses for the past 21 years. The center provides a 184-hour program, covering safe driving practices, log books and hours of service.

For more information about the program, visit www.clarkstate.edu/truck_driving.php.