LANCASTER, Texas — KLLM Transport Services/FFE, a Jackson, Mississipi-based temperature-controlled truckload carrier, on September 17 celebrated the grand opening of a new location of KLLM Driving Academy at Lancaster.

Jim Richards, KLLM president and CEO, cut the ribbon on the new two-story, 44,000-square-foot school in a ceremony with over 300 guests in attendance.

The new academy will offer an 18-day accelerated truck driver training program for Texas residents and features classroom, behind-the-wheel training, road and range instruction and driver safety education.

“This school represents an innovative partnership between KLLM and Cedar Valley College that will help fill key jobs in the nationwide trucking industry,” Richards said. “It leverages KLLM’s reputation as a leader in transport services with Cedar Valley’s strong commitment to providing quality education that leads to jobs and career pathways.”

The new state-of-the-art training facility features modern classrooms, an onsite physical lab, electronic log and refrigeration labs, a 4-acre backing range, a full-service cafeteria, along with complete lodging facilities for 43 students in private hotel-like rooms. This new residence hall section of the school provides students with refrigerators, microwave ovens, cable TV, Wifi, laundry facilities, computer labs and a study hall.

“Our Lancaster campus is specially designed to meet the needs of new driving students and help them as they start their new careers,” said Kirk Blankenship, KLLM’s vice president of driver resources. “We will be training company drivers and independent contractors, helping them earn their permit and CDL-A and learn about accident prevention, professional driving techniques, Department of Transportation regulations, cargo claim management, temperature control chain compliance, and CSA compliance, safety and accountability.”

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