OCTC Addressing CDL Driver Shortage
Owensboro, KY (08/25/2021) — Owensboro Community and Technical College (OCTC) will launch a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Academy in October 2021 to help address the driver shortage in our region. Offered through OCTC's Workforce Solutions division, this regional CDL driving academy is possible through a public partnership with the Owensboro Riverport Authority (ORA) and will offer both CDL Class A and Class B certification training.
"We are grateful for the ORA partnership as this academy would not be possible without it. More than 70 percent of goods consumed in the U.S. are moved by truck, but the industry needs to hire almost 90,000 more drivers to meet rising demand. For America to Keep on Truckin', it's critical that we train more CDL drivers for these great job opportunities which include both heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers for long-haul and local deliveries," related Mike Rodgers, OCTC's Chief Institutional Officer.
OCTC's multi-truck and trailer program received funding support from KCTCS-TRAINS, and a generous no-cost lease agreement for the program's required driving range through the ORA.
"Now more than ever, America's economy depends on qualified truck drivers to transport freight and keep supply chains moving. It's particularly true for ORA where our clients depend heavily on their commodities being delivered by truck each and every day. Our Board of Directors and Team Members are proud to partner with OCTC to grow the next generation of CDL drivers for this region and beyond," noted Brian Wright, President of ORA.
The CDL Driving Academy will place a heavy emphasis on work and earn sponsorships, apprenticeships, and post training employer placement along with a full range of free career navigator services.
"The trucking field has traditionally been comprised of male drivers. However, a New American Driver is emerging with individuals of all ages, gender, and ethnicity increasingly hitting the highways," stated Cindy Fiorella, OCTC Vice President of Workforce Solutions. "We encourage anyone seeking a dynamic, high paying career to contact us to learn more about the wide range of employment within the trucking industry."
OCTC and ORA, along with the Green River Business Service Team and related workforce development partners, will be hosting a late September employer awareness event designed to highlight the CDL Driving Academy, funding opportunities, and the training and placement options available. Companies interested in CDL certification for new hires or incumbent workers may be eligible for state training funds, which significantly offset training costs.
For more information on the CDL Driving Academy, enroll in an upcoming class, or to learn about potential financial aid and scholarship support, contact Amee Payne at 270-686-3786 or amee.payne@kctcs.edu.
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Owensboro Community & Technical College is one of the sixteen community and technical colleges that make up the Kentucky Community & Technical College System. OCTC serves the KY counties of Daviess, Hancock, Ohio and McLean. OCTC has three campuses in Daviess County and a Center and Annex in Hancock County. OCTC strives to serve the communities in the service area by providing associate degree education for transfer, state of the art technical education for students focusing on entering the workforce, customized business and industry solutions through the Workforce Solutions division, and adult education and business and industry testing through the SkillTrain unit.
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The Kentucky Community and Technical College System is the Commonwealth's largest postsecondary institution with 16 colleges and more than 70 campuses. We also are Kentucky's largest provider of workforce training and online education. Through partnerships with business and industry, we align our programs to meet the needs of local employers. We help students fulfill their dreams of creating a better life through programs that lead directly to jobs or help them transfer to one of our four-year partners.
Connect with OCTC: Owensboro.kctcs | Facebook.com/owensboroctc | Twitter@OCTC_Tweets | Instagram OwensboroCTC
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