HAMILTON, Ont. — The family of the late Gerald Marshall, founder of Marshall Truck and Trailer, have donated more than $1.7 million towards the development of a new training facility at Mohawk College.

The $4-million Gerald Marshall Centre for Transportation will open its doors in the new year, providing training to over 400 truck and coach apprentices each year. The 15,350 sq.-ft. training facility will be spacious enough to house up to three tractor-trailers at a time with classrooms overlooking the shop floor.

Mohawk College will use the facility to train students in its Truck and Coach Apprentice, Truck and Trailer Apprentice and Pre-Apprentice Truck and Coach programs.

The Marshall family’s donation is among the largest private donations in Mohawk’s 42-year history, the college announced. Other local businesses and individuals also contributed, including LeClair Truck Repair which chipped in $50,000.

“Mohawk College is the prime job creating engine in our region,” announced president Rob MacIsaac. “Thanks to the support of the Marshall family, Marshall Truck and Trailer Repair and our generous college partners, the new Gerald Marshall Centre for Transportation will allow us to train even more apprentices and keep pace with demand in the transportation industry for highly skilled and future-ready graduates.”