Ten state-of-the-art driving and forklift simulators will now be available for students at Ingram State Technical College. The new equipment will be used by those pursuing a Class “A” or Class “B” commercial driver’s license and/or those in forklift training programs at the school.

The simulators have been made available by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. They 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 then identified ISTC to repurpose the equipment.

“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.”

Jimmy Baker, chancellor of the Alabama Community College System, explained what the newly offered training opportunities can mean to those enrolled at the school.

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“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,” Baker said. “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.”

ISCTC leadership was appreciative of the additional tech to train students.

“The CDL program is one of our most popular and fastest growing programs,” said 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 Forklift-Full Setup, and Simu-Shift-Knob-2. All systems come pre-installed with necessary software, drivers, and protective equipment to ensure a seamless training experience.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten