Kentucky College Offering Evening CDL Classes to Meet Demand
[Stay on top of transportation news: Get TTNews in your inbox.]
Kentucky’s Gateway Community & Technical College is offering its first commercial driver license evening classes to help meet demand for new truck drivers in the state.
“This is a really exciting opportunity for individuals who are looking to break into the transportation industry,” said Ressie Hall, the college’s operations director for workforce solutions. “Our new evening CDL class will allow students to pursue their dreams without disrupting their current daytime obligations. We look forward to helping our students succeed and thrive in their future careers.”
In May, 1,360 students graduated from Gateway’s general education and technical programs, and most students earned multiple credentials. The college’s campuses are in Boone County, Covington and Edgewood.
The first evening CDL courses, for Class A licenses, begin Aug. 26 and run through Oct. 16 Mondays to Thursdays from 5:30-9:30 p.m. and will be held at Gateway’s Transportation and Technology Center in Fort Wright. That location offers training for CDL, automotive technology and diesel technology programs.
The CDL course fee of $4,500 includes a U.S. Department of Transportation physical, drug screening and an online entry-level driver training theory course. Financial aid for CDL training is available through the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The Kentucky Career Center can help those interested learn if they qualify for tuition assistance.
Due to limited class sizes, enrollment is offered on a first-come, first-served basis, with an Aug. 5 deadline to enroll. The evening course is open to companies that want to send their employees for CDL training and individuals seeking a truck driving career.
Students must be able to read and write English, be at least 18 years old, have a valid Kentucky driver’s license, meet federal DOT physical requirements and be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or non-domicile resident with work approval.
This fall, we're offering an evening CDL A class for the first time! Classes start August 26th. This is your chance to earn your CDL A and kickstart a career in trucking without disrupting your day job.
Email donna.krumpelman@kctcs.edu or call 859-442-1176 for more info! pic.twitter.com/LTWFYHMTjb — Gateway Community & Technical College (@GCTC_News) July 2, 2024
There are two Aug. 26 deadlines: Students must complete their online ELDT theory course and obtain a valid Kentucky CDL learner’s permit before class begins that day. The CDL evening course, which can be completed in four weeks, will start twice per month, except in December. It is designed for people with little or no experience as commercial drivers.
Kentucky employs nearly 84,000 heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers who earn an average annual salary of $37,735.
State officials have been taking measures to encourage more people to become truck drivers. Last year, Gov. Andy Beshear enacted legislation making it easier to attract truck drivers to the state. Kentucky now allows a CDL applicant with a nonresident operator’s license and a commercial driver instruction permit to take a CDL skills test in Kentucky.
Want more news? Listen to today's daily briefing below or go here for more info:
