Earlier this week, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced a new state program to help address the need for truck drivers throughout the state. The Iowa Entry-Level Driver Training Program will provide up to $6 million in reimbursements to employers, nonprofits, and other similar organizations that sponsor programs to prepare drivers interested in obtaining their commercial driver’s license (CDL). Securing a CDL can be costly and time-consuming for young drivers, but state officials are hopeful the program will make the process easier to help meet the demand for transport personnel. Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) Director Beth Townsend says, “The Entry-Level Driver Training Program provides more opportunities to obtain a CDL, but it also makes it easier for employers to recruit and train their own drivers. This effort will also make our state more competitive in these high-demand fields by helping employers offer the right training when and where their workers need it.” Selected grant recipients will be reimbursed for instructor wages, curriculum material costs, maintenance needs, and more. Applications open Tuesday, Dec. 13 and are due by Friday, Feb. 3. IWD staff are hosting a webinar on Dec. 13 at 3 p.m. to answer questions about the program. Application materials and webinar registration can be found included below.
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https://www.futurereadyiowa.gov/entry-level-driver?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
https://iowaworks.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_guDALJ3vSW66WopJXx_ynA?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery