Regions Bank donation supports students and programs for Heartland Truck...
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Regions Bank Donation Supports Students and Programs for Heartland Truck Driver Training

First-time partnership will provide scholarships to historically underrepresented students.

NORMAL, Ill. – Sept. 24, 2020 – Regions Bank is contributing to a Heartland Community College program that keeps essential workers on the road and helps fill a regional demand for truck drivers.

Heartland’s Truck Driver Training program has received a $15,000 grant from Regions Bank to fund scholarships and support services for students.

Scholarship dollars will help provide access to historically underrepresented students, many of whom have been affected economically by the COVID-19 pandemic.Regions Bank donation supports students and programs for Heartland Truck Driver Training

“Truck Driver Training is a fast pathway into a high-demand career,” said Heartland Foundation Executive Director Chris Downing. “This investment from Regions Bank will help students looking to transition into a good-paying job in as little as four weeks. We need qualified professionals to fill these essential jobs. Work Ready programs like Truck Driver Training are vital to the filling the pipeline of jobs that help sustain our local economy.”

Regions Bank Central Illinois market executive Bart Rose (middle) presents a $15,000 check to Keith Cornille (left) and Chris Downing to benefit the Heartland Community College Trucking program. The donation will fund scholarships for underrepresented students.

The 160-hour Truck Driver Training course prepares students to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License. The program can be taken in either four or eight weeks. Students spend the first part of the course preparing for a CDL Learner’s Permit, and the remainder of the time is spent with behind the wheel training. At the end of the course, students take a Class “A” License road test, administered by the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office.

“Regions is committed to supporting initiatives that elevate education and advance workforce readiness to help people achieve financial sustainability,” said Bart Rose, market executive for Regions Bank in Central Illinois. “Our communities have always relied on the transportation industry to receive needed goods. COVID-19 has only reinforced how essential truck drivers are to all of us. We’re proud to partner with Heartland Community College to provide expanded training access to their truck driving program and connect people with quality jobs to help them thrive.”

In addition to two-year programs for degree-seeking students, Heartland offers 42 Work Ready Career and Technical Certificate programs, including Truck Driver Training. Prospective students who are interested in scholarship opportunities for Truck Driver Training and other Work Ready programs can visit https://www.heartland.edu/­foundation/­scholarships/workReady.html for more information.Regions Bank donation supports students and programs for Heartland Truck Driver Training