POPLARVILLE – Pearl River Community College and the City of Hattiesburg partner to provide city employees the opportunity to earn their commercial driver’s license at no cost to the employee.
Thursday, July 19th, Toby Barker, Mayor of Hattiesburg, and Pearl River Community College’s President, Dr. Adam Breerwood, hosted a joint press conference to announce a new agreement that would offer CDL classes to city employees. They both spoke about the importance of partnerships that will aid in the enhancement and development of the local economy and those in the community.
“We are trying to provide an even more valuable employee experience, while also equipping our employees with the skills they need to become better servants for the City of Hattiesburg” Barker said.
The City of Hattiesburg employs more than 660 individuals and in investing in those employees by offering this opportunity to increase their skill levels and advance their career pathways. The belief in their employees in evident by their commitment in securing professional development opportunities. Barker commented that they have received over 50 applications from their employees for this opportunity.
Dr. Breerwood stated that at the end of the day it’s important for PRCC to be invested in the community and to provide people with skills and opportunities they need to succeed.
“I think we’ve always taken great pride in being a home town community college. We’ve been asked to help the city with this essential training and we are happy to do so. We want to people to know that when they call we are here to help them… We want to be part of the solution to building a better tax base and helping the state of Mississippi” said Breerwood.
PRCC is looking forward to the future and understands the opportunities that a positive relationship like this can create.
“Municipal employees provide critical services to keep this city running on a daily basis. It just makes sense for PRCC to provide them an opportunity to add to their toolboxes,” said Terri Clark, Dean of Career, Technical and Workforce Education. “The shared vision that Dr. Adam Breerwood and Mayor Toby Barker have for combining our efforts to advance our community is going to continue to drive progress for years to come.”
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds. Individuals who obtain a CDL may be qualified for careers in truck driving, delivery work, and more.
Anyone interested obtaining a CDL can contact Sheila Smith at 601-403-1241 or Mark Smith 601-403-1153. To locate more local training opportunities visit www.prcc.edu.
Photo caption: Toby Barker, Mayor of Hattiesburg, and PRCC President, Dr. Adam Breerwood, announce a partnership between the City of Hattiesburg and PRCC providing CDL training for city employees. They are joined by other PRCC representatives and city officials.
PRCC Marketing and Communications photo
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Pearl River Community College offers equal education and employment opportunities. The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, veteran status, or disability. For inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies or to request accommodations, special assistance, or alternate format publication please contact Tonia M. Seal, Director of Admissions and Records/ ADA/Civil Rights Coordinator at P.O. Box 5559, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1060 or Maghan James, Assistant Vice President of Student Services/Title IX Coordinator at P.O. Box 5805, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1132.
