Wisconsin Awards $468,255 in CDL Grants to Train 260 Drivers
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The has awarded $468,255 in grants for commercial driver license training to get 260 drivers on the road.
Wisconsin is facing a driver shortage. According to DWD, the state posts 6,000 job openings for truck drivers annually at the Job Center of Wisconsin website. On April 23, a search of truck driver jobs revealed more than 500 open positions in the state.
“As a leading ‘hot job’ in Wisconsin, there is high demand for skilled drivers to fill positions across our state,” said . “These training grants will help meet demand and provide trainees the opportunity to gain jobs with family-sustaining wages.”
The average yearly salary in Wisconsin for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers is $56,000, as calculated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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State funds were given to 17 organizations in 13 counties throughout Wisconsin to encourage 260 people to take up careers in professional truck driving. The grants are provided under the DWD in the state’s Commercial Driver Training Grant program, established to meet workforce needs for this high-demand occupation.
Grants reimburse the cost of training students for a CDL through awards of $10,000 to $30,000, which can pay for half of the training costs for each student, or $3,000 — whichever is less.
Planning to train a dozen students each are Rock Gate Capital in Milwaukee County (awarded $29,700) and e in Outagamie County ($28,470) for Class A training.
“This grant allows us to focus specifically on our FVTC regional centers and our relationships in those communities,” said Rob Behnke, director of truck driving programs. “Barriers to a quality career often include cost and the length of training. This grant significantly reduces both those barriers. It creates a fantastic opportunity to get to the industry more quickly without giving up quality levels of training.”
Brian Antonellis of Fleet Advantage and TMC General Chairman Radu Mihai discuss the need for targeted training programs for heavy-duty technicians that build a capable, future-ready workforce. Tune in above or by going to .
Grants of $30,000 went to:
• Elexco Inc. in Seymour to train 11 people to obtain their CDL license with a tanker endorsement to meet the excavating contractor company’s needs.
• Chippewa Valley Technical College Foundation Inc. in Eau Claire to train 22 students.
• Dark Horse CDL School in Winnebago County to train 12 people.
Three CDL training sites in Waukesha County were awarded grants. Next Level CDL Institute in Butler plans to train 10 drivers in Class A or B licenses. Visu-Sewer in Waukesha County will receive $16,576 to train eight Class B CDL holders. Waukesha County Technical College in Pewaukee will use state funds to instruct 48 students to obtain a Class A license.
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“This grant is great news for WCTC’s truck driving program. It will give our truck driving students financial assistance, which will be greatly appreciated,” said Mark Rzeznik, associate dean of graphics, construction and transportation. “Over the past three years, WCTC has graduated 320 professional truck drivers. We are on pace this academic year to have over 100 graduates.”
Northcentral Technical College in Wausau was awarded $30,000 to provide Class A training to 30 people at its CDL Training Center in Merrill and area small business sites.
Dane County received two grants to pay for Class A training. Family-owned Frank Beverage Group in Middleton was awarded $30,000 to provide 10 drivers to meet its operational needs in 19 counties. Watco Cos. intends to use the $13,259 in state funds to train seven team members.
