Rush Truck Center-Laredo (Texas) has made a significant donation to help Laredo Community College launch a Professional Truck Driving Training Program and upgrade its Diesel Engine Mechanics and Repair Program training curriculum

at its South Campus in the spring of 2011.

Rush Truck Center - Laredo is owned and operated by Rush Enterprises, which owns and operates the largest network of heavy- and medium-duty truck dealerships in North America.

On Monday, Nov. 15, leaders from the commercial vehicle dealership giant met with LCC officials to present and hand over the keys to a Peterbilt tractor with a Utility trailer during a special ceremony held in front of Billy Hall Student Center at the South Campus.

"Laredo Community College applauds Rush Truck Center - Laredo for providing a major boost to workforce education and to the countless students who will benefit from this donor's generous contribution," LCC President Dr. Juan L. Maldonado said. "LCC truly appreciates the efforts of our corporate donor for helping us realize a critical training program that will benefit the trucking industry in the Laredo region tremendously."

The 160-hour, four-week truck driver training program will provide the knowledge and skills needed to pass the Texas Commercial Driver's License exam to qualify for immediate employment in the trucking industry. Training will consist of classroom lecture, parking and driving skills training in a driving range, and day and night street driving.

In addition to the tractor/trailer donation, Rush Truck Center-Laredo also worked with key trucking manufacturers to secure computer-based diagnostic software for LCC to upgrade instructional programs for the benefit of students enrolled in the Diesel Engine Mechanics and Repair Program. The software will include the latest in diagnostic technology available from Peterbilt Motors (truck systems), Caterpillar (engine systems), Cummins (engine systems), and Eaton Roadranger (transmission, axle and diesel-electric hybrid systems). All companies have agreed to provide updates to the diagnostic software as technology improves at no cost to LCC.

Rush Truck Center - Laredo has also committed to lend the college the use of newer model vehicles as needed to support curriculum training, allowing LCC diesel mechanic students to become better acquainted with the state-of-the-art vehicles. This will include a late model Class 8 used truck equipped with 2007 emissions-compliant technology as well as a new Peterbilt truck equipped with 2010 emissions-compliant vehicle technology and the newly released Paccar MX engine.

"Not only does our partnering help the college to supply quality training to future technicians and drivers, but more importantly, helps develop ready and capable technicians available for hire to work at our dealership after graduation," said Lewis Woodul, General Manager for Rush Truck Center - Laredo.

Rush Truck Center - Laredo has been an ongoing supporter of the Diesel Engine Mechanics and Repair program, having worked with LCC to offer internships to students to provide real world experience by working at the dealership while they are completing training.