Johnson College Receives $50,000 POWER Planning Grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission

Johnson College has been awarded a $50,000 Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) planning grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to support the College in planning and developing a new vehicle maintenance technology laboratory.

The vehicle maintenance technology laboratory is one of four components of Johnson College’s comprehensive, five-year capital campaign, “Innovation at Work,” which focuses on creating an environment for growth and success. The laboratory will consolidate three of Johnson College’s four vehicle maintenance programs – Automotive, Heavy Equipment, and Diesel Truck Technology – into one efficiently shared space with the latest high-tech training equipment for traditional and electric vehicles, and advanced alternative fuel technologies. The three programs are all currently housed in different locations on the College’s Scranton Campus.

During this project’s planning and development phase, the College will combine programmatic review with industry partners’ and consultants’ recommendations to determine laboratory location, design, curriculum, and technologically advanced equipment that best meets the needs of the growing and changing transportation industry. The planning project will include a feasibility/site study phase and architectural design phase. Faculty and administration will also tour several successful industry and educational facilities to see best practices in operation.

Johnson College plans to match the funds from the POWER planning grant to further support the success of this project and its overall mission to provide the best industry-focused, hands-on learning that prepares students to enter the workforce and adapt to the changing needs of industry.

The POWER planning grant is part of the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) initiative. This initiative provides funding to support communities and regions affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations, and coal-related supply chain or logistics industries due to the changing economics of America’s energy production and the coal economy. The POWER Initiative supports efforts to create a more vibrant economic future for coal-impacted communities by cultivating economic diversity, enhancing job training and reemployment opportunities, creating jobs in existing or new industries, and attracting new sources of investment.

About the Appalachian Regional Commission

The Appalachian Regional Commission is an economic development entity of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 423 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation.

Johnson College Scranton to Host Fall Open House on November 2, 2024

Johnson College will hold its Fall Open House on Saturday, November 2, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on its Scranton campus. To register to attend the Open House, visit Johnson.edu/openhouse or contact Johnson College’s Enrollment Department at 570-702-8856 or enroll@johnson.edu.

The Open House will include discussions about the admissions process, information about financial aid for those who qualify, and student services such as student life, student support, and career services. Plus, same-day acceptance will be available for many programs if students bring their high school or college transcripts. Tours of each technical area will be conducted and program directors and instructors will be available to review the specifics of their programs.

Johnson College Partners with Road Runner CDL Academy to Launch CDL Training in NEPA

In response to the regional and national demand for CDL truck drivers, Johnson College has partnered with Road Runner CDL Academy to offer Class A CDL Driver Training at the truck driving school located at 6 S. Keyser Avenue in Taylor, PA.

The 160-hour course, managed by Road Runner CDL Academy, blends 40 hours of detailed classroom instruction with 120 hours of practical, behind-the-wheel training. Automatic and manual transmission training options are available. The course features a flexible training schedule with experienced instructors and can be completed in as little as four weeks.

Students will learn to inspect and operate tractor-trailers and to assume driver responsibilities on the road and at pickup/delivery points. Emphasis will be placed on vehicle inspections, defensive driving, range maneuvers, motor carrier safety regulations (DOT 380-397 and a certificate for entry-level drivers), trip planning, cargo handling, size/weight laws, general maintenance procedures, hours of service, and accident prevention.

Participants must have a driver’s license and clean motor vehicle record (MVR) before registering for the course. Participants must complete the Department of Transportation (DOT) drug screen and physical. A valid CDL permit is required before the second week of class.

“As our economy continues to grow and evolve, the need for efficient and reliable CDL drivers is becoming increasingly critical,” said Ashley Bechaver, Director of Continuing Education at Johnson College. “Johnson College’s partnership with Road Runner CDL Academy will support industries throughout our region and beyond with in-demand, class-A CDL training.”

The course complies with the new Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) rules established by the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA), which took effect in February 2022.

After completing the CDL Training course, students will earn a certificate of completion from Johnson College and the qualifications for one of the most in-demand careers in the nation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual pay for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers is $54,320.

To learn more or to enroll in the Class A CDL Driver Training course, visit johnson.edu/cdl or contact the College’s Continuing Education department at continuinged@johnson.edu.