J.F. Ingram State Technical College Receives CDL And Forklift Simulators To Enhance Workforce Training - Elmore-Autauga News

Nov 08, 2024

From J.F. Ingram State Technical College

Alabama Community College System

J.F. Ingram State Technical College (ISTC) received 10 state-of-the-art driving and forklift simulators, courtesy of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA). ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell officially presented the simulators to ISTC staff on Thursday, October 31st.

“The Alabama Community College System is doing great work to prepare and train Alabamians of all backgrounds for productive careers in the workforce,” said ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell. “We are pleased that these simulators could be repurposed and given to Ingram State for use in the college’s Commercial Driver’s License and Forklift training programs.”

“Our job in the community college system is to present every student, no matter who they are or what they may have done in the past, the best opportunity to make their life better,” added Jimmy Baker, chancellor of the Alabama Community College System. “These donations from ADECA will allow these men and women who have decided they want to do better, the opportunity to compete for a job in career field of their choice upon their release.”

The simulators were originally acquired through an Appalachian Regional Commission grant in 2023 to support a driving academy program in north Alabama, but returned to ADECA in 2024. ADECA identified ISTC to repurpose the equipment, allowing it to continue serving Alabamians in high-demand fields.

Ingram State, the only accredited post-secondary college of its kind in the country, provides educational and workforce training opportunities exclusively to incarcerated and paroled individuals. In 2019, ISTC introduced the CDL program, allowing its students the opportunity to earn Class “A” or Class “B” Alabama Commercial Driver Licenses with endorsements. All students enrolled in an ISTC program also receive forklift operator certification training. While Ingram provides technical training at 13 of its 32 sites across the state, before this donation, the school only possessed 3 simulators, 3 CDL trucks and a handful of forklifts for training.

“The CDL program is one of our most popular and fastest growing programs,” said ISTC President Annette Funderburk. “The addition of these simulators will allow us to expand the program while also allowing our students to hone their skills by giving them more time with their hands on steering wheels and feet on gas pedals.”

The new equipment includes the SimuRide Professional Edition-Full Setup 3, SimuRide ForkliftFull Setup, and Simu-Shift-Knob-2. All systems come pre-installed with necessary software, drivers, and protective equipment to ensure a seamless training experience.