Governor Reynolds Awards CDL Training Grants to Ease Iowans’ Path into Professional Driving

Iowa Workforce Growth Communications
For Rapid Launch
Date: March 30, 2023
Contact: Jesse Dougherty
Phone: 515-725-5487
Electronic mail: communications@iwd.iowa.gov

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Governor Reynolds Awards CDL Coaching Grants to Ease Iowans’ Path into Skilled Driving
Grants will present important coaching funds to assist meet state demand for truck, bus drivers

DES MOINES, IOWA – Governor Kim Reynolds right this moment introduced new grant awards that may straight assist the important coaching alternatives obligatory to acquire a business driver’s license (CDL) in Iowa. The Entry-Degree Driver Coaching Program will assist Iowa meet its robust demand for truck drivers and college bus drivers by offering $2.94 million to assist 46 totally different coaching packages throughout the state.

The packages, carried out both in-house or at the side of third-party suppliers, will serve an estimated 1,642 people employed by the collaborating organizations. Staff will obtain expertise or data assessments in preparation for a CDL.

“This distinctive program addresses Iowa’s want for truck drivers in our workforce,” stated Governor Reynolds. “Iowa is main the nation by investing within the required coaching and eradicating boundaries to those high-demand positions. The pathway to a CDL have to be accessible to maintain Iowa’s, and the nation’s, financial system transferring ahead.”

Go to this web page for data on all awardees, which embrace employers, nonprofits, native governments and college district organizations who make use of CDL drivers in Iowa.

Final 12 months, the Federal Motor Provider Security Administration carried out extra coaching necessities on high of present CDL requirements. Regardless of the excessive demand, CDL coaching could be pricey or require extra journey or assets. Grant funding acts as a reimbursement following documented coaching certification and a CDL examination inside 30 days of a participant’s final day of coaching.

“Offering new grants particularly for coaching signifies that Iowa employers and organizations can extra simply recruit the workforce they should be profitable,” stated Beth Townsend, Director of Iowa Workforce Growth. “Right now’s awards are about getting the person within the door and on a greater pathway to a CDL. As soon as they’re educated, their roles as truck drivers profit our whole financial system.”

For extra data on Iowa’s Entry-Degree Driver Coaching Program, go to this hyperlink.

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