Bank of America donates $10,000 to TCC for trucking education program

Bank of America has donated $10,000 to Tidewater Community College in support of a trucking training and education program geared toward military veterans and their families.

The funds secured by the TCC Educational Foundation will be used to support the required match for the college’s Commercial Motor Vehicle – Operator Safety Training grant program funded by the Department of Transportation.

“We are grateful for the support of Bank of America,” said TCC President Edna V. Baehre-Kolovani. “This donation allows us to continue the training for one of the most significant populations we serve – military veterans and their families – in an area where wages are competitive and jobs are plentiful.”

TCC’s Center for Military and Veterans Education received the initial federal grant of $107,271 in 2014, which was increased to $199,879 in 2015.

The program supports the training and placement of veterans and their spouses in one of the highest demand industries in Hampton Roads.

The additional funds prepare students for successful careers in the trucking industry, where the Bureau of Labor and Statistics anticipates growth of up to 21 percent through 2020.

“Since 1920, Bank of America has supported our men and women in uniform, and we are committed to connecting them to the support they need to transition back into civilian life,” said Charlie Henderson, Bank of America Hampton Roads market president.

“The social and economic benefits of employment have been proven time and time again, providing confidence, optimism and stability to our families and empowering our veterans to reach their full potential and lead financially stable lives.”

TCC is one of 13 technical and community colleges and the only one in Virginia to receive funding through the Department of Transportation grant.

“The TCC Educational Foundation is thankful to Bank of America, one of our significant community partners in providing opportunities for veterans and their families,” said Felicia Blow, vice president for institutional advancement and executive director of the foundation. “Partnerships such as these are vital in our mission to provide pathways and opportunities for students who, in turn, power the region’s workforce and grow the local economy.”

To learn more about supporting TCC through the Educational Foundation, visit advancement.tcc.edu, call 757-822-1080 or email foundation@tcc.edu.

For information on the program, call Al Jackson at 757-822-7761 or email axjackson@tcc.edu.