Wor-Wic Community College has expanded its driver’s education offerings, thanks in part to a $29,000 grant from the Rural Maryland Council (RMC) through its Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund.
The funds supported the purchase of a third behind-the-wheel training vehicle to expand capacity of the driver education program by close to 200 additional students per year.
“Our driver’s ed classes fill up very quickly,” explained Denean L. Jones-Ward, director of continuing education and workforce development transportation, adult and community development programs. “We have tried to keep them very affordable. In fact, we haven’t increased the cost since the program started.”
The program previously had two cars used for the supervised driving required by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. Pohanka Automotive has provided them ever since the program started in 2014, with new leased cars every three years. “We couldn’t have started the program without them,” Jones-Ward said.
Now, with a third car, not only will more students be able to take driver’s education at Wor-Wic, but available drive times have expanded to include Sundays. “This kind of flexibility is so important, especially for working people and those with families,” Jones-Ward said.
The 36 hour, MVA-approved driver’s ed course at Wor-Wic consists of the required 30 hours of virtual or in-person classroom instruction and six hours behind-the-wheel training. Visit worwic.edu to register.
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PHOTO: Denean L. Jones-Ward, director of continuing education and workforce development transportation, adult and community development, appreciates the addition of a third car to the driver’s education fleet.
