COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE TRAINING COMING TO WASHINGTON CO.

  

A multi-group partnership is bringing Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training to Washington County.

The CDL program is being created through The Rural Workforce Academy (TRWA) at Prairie View A&M University Extension, part of the Community and Economic Development Unit, in collaboration with Ancora Training.

Kay Coffield, Program Coordinator for TRWA, says discussions with Dr. Tina Henderson, PVAMU Community and Economic Development Extension Agent for Washington County, raised awareness about the need for a program like this and the opportunity to fill in gaps in the workforce.  She says Washington County will serve as the first home for the program, with a goal of expanding it to other counties.

Course material will be taught at the Boys and Girls Club of Washington County, and the driver portion will occur at one of the Washington County Expo lots.  Class dates are still being determined for the four-week program, but organizers are targeting a timeline of late September to early October. 

Dr. Henderson says the program aims to work together with employers to help them fill vacancies and offer a path toward finding a career in a field in demand.  

Following the first round of classes, organizers will coordinate with employers, the City of Brenham and Washington County to schedule additional classes and assess the demand for how many people can be accepted.  The first program is anticipated to have four or five slots.

Other partners who have assisted with bringing the program to fruition include Dr. Natriez Peterson, PVAMU Extension CED Assistant Program Leader; the Texas Workforce Commission; and Workforce Solutions Brazos Valley.

Dedicated registration information for the program will be shared soon.  Organizers intend to provide the program to residents at no cost. 

For more details, contact Dr. Henderson at tbhenderson@pvamu.edu.