Business Education

What’s the status of FTCC's multimillion-dollar Truck Training Center? Progress underway for new driving pad

By Stephanie Meador, posted 2 weeks ago
Photo courtesy of FTCC

A little over a year ago Fayetteville Technical Community College announced their plans to construct a 600- by 900-foot driving pad that featured a shifting track and a skid area and would permit multiple tractor trailers to operate at once.

While the project was initially expected to be completed in 2024, a few bumps in the road have resulted in changes to the timeline. Nevertheless, the plans are still in motion.

FTCC’s Executive Director of Public Relations and Marketing Catherine Pritchard explained that the project has been working its way through various steps of the planning process and the construction documents for Phase I are currently awaiting approval from the State Construction Office. The documents were submitted in August. 

“We're hoping for approval soon and hope to have the project ready to go out for bid in November. That would be the next step. We anticipate that once construction begins that it would take eight months to complete Phase I,” shared Pritchard

The $13.5 million complex is set for a 58-acre property on Old Raeford Road and will also include a 5,000-square-foot classroom building and a two-bay diesel maintenance garage. In addition to Commercial Driver’s License training, the complex is expected to house a new Fleet Maintenance Technician program.

As to why FTCC is building this facility, Dr. Murtis Worth, FTCC's Senior Vice President for Academics and Student Services, noted that the College has a waiting list of students who want to take their CDL classes so the new facility will help FTCC meet demand. It will also permit the College to help Bladen Community College and Robeson Community College by providing vital training space for their CDL students.

"This is a high-demand, high-wage industry," Worth said. "Truck drivers play an essential role in keeping the local, state and national supply chain operating."

Dr. Mark Sorrells, President of FTCC, said the regional facility would enable FTCC, BCC and RCC to "work collectively toward meeting the existing workforce needs and future economic development projects in the Sandhills Region and across our state."

Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT

In The Current Issue

Announcing the 2024 Health Care Heroes finalists

Meet the 2024 Health Care Heroes Finalists:Community CoalitionCFVH COMMUNITY PARAMEDIC PROGRAMTITLE: Alinda Bailey, Manager ORGANIZATION: Cape Fear Valley Health WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: Cape Fear Valley Health’s Community Paramedic Program


A lifetime of service

Clark, a retired surgeon and businessman, is a longtime supporter of Methodist University with deep roots in theFayetteville community. Clark is also well known for his dominance on the basketball court as a center for the University of North Carolin


Editor's note: Countdown to the holidays

Greetings and may I be the first to wish a happy holiday season to you, our readers. As we have finally passed Halloween, the countdown to Thanksgiving and Christmas has officially begun! I’m sure that by this issue’s release on Nov. 1, the Chri