The state cut funding for a popular truck driver training program at Johnston Community College. The program will lose from $200,000 to $350,000 this fiscal year, according to JCC officials.

The money would usually go toward equipment, teaching supplies, fuel, and repairs.

The program graduates more than 280 students a year, and attracts many people who are changing careers.

Douglas Thompson enrolled because he got tired of working a part-time job.

"I'm looking for something that paid more and was more interesting to do," he said. "This is probably the only decent career left for working class people as far as I'm concerned, right now in America."

Thompson says trucking school is a good deal too. After spending less than $1,000 and eight weeks in school, he'll be on the road to a new career.

Enrollment went up about ten percent in the past year, according to Paul Jump, the director of the program.

"When the economy goes bad, our enrollment oftentimes goes up," he said.

But because of the high cost of fuel and repairs, it's expensive to run the program. College officials say that's partly why the state cut its funding.

Now the trucking school is working with the college's foundation to raise money. And it may have to lay off instructors and accept fewer students, Jump said.

"We don't want to do that. But we may be forced to do that," he added.