On June 29, Monroe County Executive Adam Bello and representatives from the Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES Center for Workforce Development (CWD) recognized the graduation of its newest Commercial Drivers License (CDL) Training Class. Eight graduates completed the course and, after taking a road test in July, will fill a crucial workforce need.
“The availability of workers with Commercial Driver’s Licenses is important for the ecosystem of the Monroe County economy,” said Bello. “I want to congratulate the graduates for taking the initiative to complete the training class as it not only helps our region as a whole, but it diversifies their talents as individual workers. I hope to see even higher enrollment numbers for the class this fall!”
Graduates received their certificates at the Gates Chili Central School District Transportation Building. Gates Chili provided a school bus to be used for hands-on driving experience as part of the class, and hosted the graduates for an in-person tour at their transportation facility.
The class represents an innovative workforce development partnership to address a shortage of drivers in our region. Through funding provided by the Monroe County Industrial Development Corporation (MCIDC), up to 80 percent of the program costs were covered for participants. The class, which began in April, is the third CDL class offered through this partnership. Altogether, the program has an 86 percent employment placement rate in the industry.
“We at the Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES are pleased to have facilitated this exciting opportunity for our students,” said Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES District Superintendent Jo Anne Antonacci. “These graduates will fill vital job openings, opening up new doors while also meeting a huge need in our community. We are proud to be a positive force in driving economic development in this region, and we thank Monroe County for their continued partnership.”
Another CDL training class will begin in September. There is still an urgent need for drivers in the field, especially in local and regional driving employers such as bus drivers, medical transport drivers, and delivery service drivers. These employment opportunities are both full-time and part-time, depending on the preferences of the individual, with benefits offered as well.
Interested individuals should contact CWD at 349-9100, CWDInfo@monroe2boces.org or online at www.monroe2cwd.edu/. Monroe County Workforce Development can be reached at mcplanning@monroecounty.gov or 753-2000.
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