Michigan Works is offering free CDL training to those interested in starting a career as a truck driver.
Vice President of Workforce Paul Kirk tells us the agency is teaming up with Lake Michigan College and REGEN Trucking School to teach commercial driving. He says it’s a good way for someone to get a decent-paying job in a field with strong demand.
“I just pulled some data today and there are 68 active online job postings in the last 38 days,” Kirk said. “That’s a 48% increase over the last 30 day period. We’re expecting between now and 2028, an additional growth of 24% in demand for truck drivers, both local, regional, and long haulers.”
The training will take place over three weeks at the South Haven Lake Michigan College campus.
“Each of the job seekers that take advantage of this opportunity will spend one week, five days in a classroom setting, and then two weeks on the road actually learning and driving days in a classroom setting, and then two weeks on the road actually learning and driving a truck and trailer rig.”
Kirk says there are only 25 slots available, and within hours of announcing the training opportunity, nearly as many applications had come in. However, that doesn’t mean those interested shouldn’t still apply. The program will determine which candidates to select based on the applications.
The training is all free thanks to a grant. Cohorts begin in March and continue through July.
Anyone interested should apply at the Michigan Works website.
