(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Professional Driving Academy is shifting into high gear with a $486,023 grant from the Southwest Border Regional Commission (SBRC) that will expand Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training at the Harlingen campus.
“This initiative stands out to the commission as it addresses the critical shortage of certified commercial drivers across Texas, particularly in Cameron County,” said Gabriela Morales, executive director of the Southwest Border Regional Commission. “The expansion will strengthen regional workforce pipelines, increase job placements in the logistics and transportation sectors and enhance the college’s capacity to deliver high-quality, industrial-aligned training.”
The grant, awarded through the support of Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34), will fund the purchase of two new semitrucks and one trailer, giving students additional opportunities to train on equipment similar in the commercial trucking industry.
Gonzalez said creating a sustainable economy requires standard investments in vocational programs that meet the growing challenges businesses face in Texas.
“With these funds from the federal SBRC that I proudly support, TSTC will expand its commercial driving footprint in South Texas and strengthen the talent pipeline of students ready for immediate employment,” he said. “All while ensuring our region remains uniquely positioned as one of the main international hubs for the transportation of goods and commerce.”
The appropriated funds will support repairs and structural upgrades to the CDL training and testing pad at TSTC’s Professional Driving Academy course. The improvements will help ensure the facility remains compliant with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration standards while providing students with a safer and more effective environment for hands-on instruction.
Eduardo Patino, TSTC’s director of professional academies, said the new trailer and semitrucks will make a significant difference to the training.
“We can welcome more students and give them better access to the kind of equipment they will use on the job,” he said. “It is about improving the student experience so they can train on modern, high-quality vehicles.”
For more information TSTC’s Professional Driving Academy, go to tstc.edu/workforce/professional-driving-academy/.