The Kansas Department of Commerce, Fort Scott Community College and Kaw Area Technical School have teamed up to offer truck driving classes in Topeka.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reported that the three entities teamed up to offer the classes based on a growing need for truck drivers in northeast Kansas .

Richard Hoffman, general director at the Kaw Area Technical School – or KATS – told The Capital-Journal that a recent survey of employers by the Department of Commerce showed that there was a need for more training for truck drivers.

The first class began Nov. 21. A second class is scheduled to begin Jan. 30.

KATS was looking for a program, and decided to take Fort Scott ’s program and expand it to Topeka . Under the arrangement, KATS provides classroom space, advertising and parking for the truck used in for the class. Fort Scott provides the truck, enrollment, instruction and other equipment needed.

The Capitol-Journal said that Fort Scott started its program in 1979, and later expanded to Kansas City , KS , and Emporia , KS . The program now handles about 60 students per month.

The four-week program includes classroom lectures, discussion, hands-on experience and a review of trucking laws. At the end of the program, students can apply for their commercial driver’s license. There is a $22 licensing fee charged by the state of Kansas .

In-state tuition for the program is $1,648 and includes the cost of fuel and instruction.

For more information, call 1-800-874-3722, Ext. 386.