Chattahoochee Technical College Breaks Ground on New Commercial Truck Driving Training Site at Paulding Campus
Chattahoochee Technical College celebrated a major milestone last week with a ceremonial groundbreaking at its Paulding Campus, marking the expansion of its Commercial Truck Driving programs. Local and state officials, industry partners, faculty, staff, and community guests joined the celebration, underscoring the college’s commitment to strengthening Georgia’s workforce and fueling regional economic growth.
The expansion comes at a pivotal moment for the transportation and logistics sector. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 2.2 million heavy and tractor‑trailer truck drivers were employed nationwide in 2025, with employment projected to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035, creating an estimated 214,500 openings each year due to industry growth and replacement needs. At the same time, the American Trucking Associations estimate a persistent national shortage of 60,000–80,000 drivers, with the industry needing 120,000 new drivers annually over the next decade to meet freight demand and replace retiring workers.
Georgia reflects these national trends even more intensely. The state’s projected truck‑driver employment growth is approximately 15%, compared to a 5% national average, driven by Georgia’s expanding freight economy—fueled by growth in manufacturing, e‑commerce, and port activity. These forces continue to increase demand for qualified commercial drivers across the state, making Georgia one of the most competitive markets in the country for commercial‑driver recruitment and underscoring the need for expanded training capacity to support employer demand.
Programs Designed for Career Success
Chattahoochee Technical College’s Commercial Truck Driving programs are built around industry‑aligned training that emphasizes safety, technique, and professional readiness. Students learn essential skills such as vehicle inspection, maneuvering, defensive driving, and safe operation of commercial vehicles. The Class A Commercial Truck Driving program prepares students to earn a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) required for operating tractor‑trailers and heavy trucks, while the Class B certificate program equips students to drive vehicles such as buses, dump trucks, and other single‑vehicle commercial units.
“Our programs are built to meet students where they are and prepare them for where they want to go,” said Diane Geis, Associate Dean of Transportation, Logistics and Building Services. “We focus on safety, skill development, and real‑world training so students graduate confident, capable, and ready to step into high‑demand careers. Employers know that when they hire a Chatt Tech graduate, they’re getting someone who has been trained to industry standards and is committed to doing the job well.”
Both programs combine classroom instruction with hands‑on driving experience, ensuring graduates are fully prepared for the demands of the transportation industry. Employers benefit from a pipeline of job‑ready drivers who understand safety protocols, operational efficiency, and the expectations of modern logistics environments.
A Strategic Investment in Georgia’s Workforce
The Paulding Campus expansion reflects Chattahoochee Tech’s mission to strengthen Georgia’s workforce and support regional economic development. With logistics serving as one of the state’s most essential industries, the college’s investment in commercial driving programs will help meet employer demand while creating new pathways to economic mobility for students.
“This groundbreaking represents the heart of our mission in action,” said Chattahoochee Technical College President Heather Pence. “By expanding commercial driving programs at our Paulding Campus, we are creating new pathways to opportunity for students and delivering skilled talent to an industry that keeps Georgia moving. This is impact you can see—students gaining life‑changing skills, employers gaining prepared professionals, and communities gaining stronger economic foundations.”
Looking Ahead
Construction on the new training site is expected to take approximately one year, with classes beginning in late 2027 or early 2028. Students interested in pursuing Commercial Truck Driving now may enroll at the North Metro Campus, where the program is currently offered.
Chattahoochee Tech’s Paulding Campus continues to grow as a hub for workforce development, offering programs in an array of areas, including Nursing, Welding, Technical Studies, Early Childhood Care and Education, and Interdisciplinary Studies. The addition of Commercial Truck Driving will further expand the campus’s role in preparing students for in‑demand careers while supporting future program development aligned with regional workforce needs.
For more information about Commercial Truck Driving programs and enrollment opportunities, visit ChattahoocheeTech.edu.
