The commercial driver’s license infrastructure program in Iowa is providing a substantial grant of $4,844,092 to 10 community colleges. This funding will be used to enhance driver training facilities and equipment across the state.
Governor Kim Reynolds announced this exciting news, highlighting the importance of modernized infrastructure for CDL training programs. With this grant, approximately 1,300 students are expected to benefit from expanded training opportunities at these colleges.
This significant investment in driver training will help Iowa meet the growing demand for skilled commercial drivers, ensuring safer roads and a stronger workforce.
“The pathway to finding a job as a truck driver, one of our most-needed occupations, runs through getting a CDL license,” Reynolds said in a statement. “It’s important that we do everything we can to not only make it easier for individuals to obtain these licenses, but also to support the long-term viability of the programs that made it possible to gain that experience right here in Iowa.”
Grant funds will support the building, purchasing or remodeling or training infrastructure that prepares drivers for meeting CDL requirements, according to the news release. The CDL training programs must offer competency-based training courses or a course that would allow someone to complete training and take the licensing exam within 30 days.
In addition, the colleges awarded money have agreed to a five-year tuition freeze for their training programs once projects funded by the grant are complete.
“Increasing the CDL pipeline is crucial to sustaining and improving our economy,” said Beth Townsend, executive director of Iowa Workforce Development. “This investment today will also give Iowa employers a leg up in recruiting more individuals in our state who have a CDL and are workforce ready.”
The community colleges receiving grant funds are:
- Des Moines Area Community College ($1 million)
- Eastern Iowa Community College ($797,000)
- Hawkeye Community College ($1 million)
- Iowa Lakes Community College ($240,000)
- Iowa Valley Community College ($68,840)
- Iowa Western Community College ($214,500)
- Northeast Iowa Community College ($265,000)
- Northwest Iowa Community College ($301,000)
- Southwest Iowa Community College ($665,000)
- Western Iowa Tech Community College ($214,500)
Click HERE for in-depth information on the training grants offered at each school.
Last March, Iowa made an investment of nearly $3 million to support entry-level driver training across the state. The grant money went to employers, nonprofits, and related organizations involved in key CDL training programs.
This funding comes after years of advocacy from groups like OOIDA, who pushed for a mandatory entry-level driver training program as a prerequisite for obtaining a CDL. The rule finally took effect in February 2022.
There are still opposing views on the rule, however, with some lawmakers attempting to repeal it as recently as August. The debate continues as stakeholders work to address and resolve these concerns.
Source: Land Line
