Student Takes a New Route to Success by Way of TCC Workforce Development

Submitted by Tallahassee Community College

Each year, Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs like the Commercial Vehicle Driving program at Tallahassee Community College (TCC) significantly impact individuals’ lives like Dennis Smith.

While incarcerated, Smith decided that he wanted to alter his life by continuing his education through a CTE program. He learned about truck driving and obtained a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Handbook from his classification officer, studying it front to back. A few months before his release, he met Alicia Warren with the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) at Century Correctional Institution. He knew that this was his chance to turn things around for the better.

Smith said,

Warren provided just what Smith needed, guidance and opportunity. She arranged for him to interview at the Transportation and Logistics Center at Tallahassee Community College. Smith worked hard to show Warren and others that their efforts would not be disregarded upon his release. He attended class Monday through Friday on top of working two jobs to support himself. Not long after completing his training and obtaining his CDL, he was offered a position with Western Express, a national trucking company.

Facing obstacles such as being on parole and tackling out-of-state training, Smith began to worry his dreams would soon crumble. However, with the help of his parole officer who petitioned the Florida Commission on Offender Review (FCOR) board to allow Smith the chance to pursue this opportunity, these obstacles soon became obsolete.

Since December 2022, Smith has worked for Western Express, seeing places he had only imagined. He plans to continue pursuing trucking as a career and purchase his own truck.

While the road to turning his life around may have not been easy, the help of individuals like Warren and sponsorships of these CTE programs by the FDC makes it all worthwhile.

Warren said,

I am happy to say he is well on his way to living his dream and reaching his goals that we discussed before his release. I really thank FCOR, Probation & Parole and TCC for working with us to make this happen. This is what we strive for on a daily basis

Development Commercial Vehicle Driving program continues to provide individuals like Smith a second chance at life and reentering the workforce. TCC’s Commercial Vehicle Driving classes encompass hands-on experience in a truck and a virtual simulator combined with lectures and presentations to prepare students to receive their class ’A’ Commercial Driver’s License.

Check out TCC’s Transportation and Logistics Center by visiting https://www. tcc.fl.edu/workforce-development/ individuals/learn-new-job-skills/ transportation/ or by calling 850-558-3550.

Learn more about TCC’s Workforce Development at https://www.tcc.fl.edu/ tcc2work.

Smith continues to remain grateful for the opportunities he has been given and gives praise to those who put him in a position to receive them.

Through sponsorship of the FDC and other organizations, TCC’s Workforce