By By JAMES COLLINS / Niles Daily Star
NILES -- With the opening of a truck driving school this month, Baker College, the largest private college in Michigan, now has a presence in Niles.
The Baker College truck driving school, which began classes on April 5, held its official ribbon cutting ceremony and open house on Thursday at their new location at the Davis Cartage Company, 1800 Terminal Road.
This is the college's fourth truck driving school and the second one opened with Davis Cartage, a trucking company that provides its customers with quality inspections, transportation and warehousing needs. The other school partnered with Davis Cartage is in Owosso.
In addition to truck driving schools, other Baker College locations offer opportunities to earn certificates, associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees in areas like business, health science, education and human services.
Julianne Princinsky, president of Baker College of Flint, said the school formed a relationship with Davis Cartage because the two businesses share the same work ethic and core values.
Dr. John Cote, dean of business administration for Baker College, pointed to this success by mentioning that the school has been successful in placing all of its drivers with employment.
Because of the quality of the school, many of the students are recruited for employment before they ever finish school, Cote said.
Cote anticipates the opening of a successful school in Niles will have a positive impact on the entire community. "We think the presence of this school can make this a more economically attractive region for other businesses," he said.
Phillip Whitmer, Baker College transportation management program coordinator, said the truck driving school's professional development program, which includes resume building and interviewing skills, gives their students an edge on the job market.
The Niles school currently has two students enrolled in classes, but school officials anticipate at least 25 students for fall classes.
Rob Shrere, one of the current students present at Thursday's ceremony, has been very pleased with his first few weeks of class and looks forward to the opportunities his education will provide.
For more information, call the Baker College truck driving school in Niles at (269)687-0237.