Recent changes to accommodate increased enrollment in the truck driving program at Shawnee Community College in Ullin could reflect what's going on within an industry that offers hope in Southern Illinois amidst a troubled economy.

"We're seeing a lot of enrollment from people laid off from jobs. They are coming from different backgrounds," said Dave Simmons, truck driving program coordinator at Shawnee.

A new term for truck driving students began Monday at Shawnee, and enrollment, at 14, was nearly double from the previous term.

Shawnee added another instructor and another rig to its fleet. The average student age is from 35 to 40.

"When the economy turned bad, people turned to truck driving jobs," Simmons said.

The class curriculum requires 160 hours - some in the classroom and some on the road.

A $3,114 tuition cost covers permits, drug testing and all supplies needed for a career in truck driving, said Sharon Felker, public information officer at Shawnee.

One local company that is recruiting graduates of the Shawnee truck driving program is Gilster-Mary Lee food manufacturing in Chester.

Because of the high demand for truck driving jobs, companies can be more selective in hiring, said Mike Welker, a supervisor at Gilster-Mary Lee.

"I'm getting a lot of qualified applicants. The pool is really good because a lot of people are changing careers," Welker said.

But business is slow because of the downtrodden national economy, and there are not an increasing number of truck driving jobs, Welker said.

"The freight is not out there the way it use to be," he said.

The truck driving industry has created a unique spot in the Southern Illinois economy, however.

Marion Mayor Bob Butler confirmed Monday that plans remain on target for an East St. Louis-based trucking company, Beelman Truck Co., to build a new terminal in Marion.

"They bought some 20 acres on Halfway Road. They said when their operation goes into full swing, they will employ some 100 people. They haul various kinds of freight by contract," Butler said.

Beelman's owner, Sam Beelman, could not be reached for comment Monday. He said in November that Marion was a good area for company expansion, and his business will provide local truckers opportunities for a lot of good jobs.

scott.fitzgerald@thesouthern.com

618-351-5076