Jefferson County Roads and Transportation employees have earned their Commercial Drivers Licenses through training with Jefferson State Community College.
More than 20 Jefferson County Roads and Transportation employees have trained through Jefferson State Community College to receive their CDL license, in a partnership called a “win, win.”
The public/private partnership utilizes the Skills for Success training model, with training taking place at Camp Ketona in Birmingham using Jefferson County trucks.
“Partnering with Jeff State on this CDL program has been a win, win for us and our employees,” said Chris Nicholson, Jefferson County Director of Roads and Transportation. “As an employer, who needs truck drivers, we have been able to increase the number of drivers at both of our camps, which in turn provides our employees with greater flexibility, and also gives them an additional job skill. The employees that have gone through the program learned a lot and have nothing but praise for it.”
The hybrid course includes both online theory and in-person, behind-the-wheel training.
Participants are taught by Jefferson State instructors on how to pass the CDL exam by mastering required skills such as pre-trip inspections, backing maneuvers, parking maneuvers, and successfully navigating public roads.
“We are truly excited to partner with Jefferson County to provide CDL training to employees to ensure they have the required credentials needed for in-demand roles,” said Leah Bigbee, Dean of Workforce Education at Jefferson State. “The training is a great example of how Jefferson State partners with local business and industry to provide rapid workforce training to existing employees, and we applaud Jefferson County for investing in their employees by partnering with us on this valuable upskilling effort.”
The college plans to continue the partnership, with 10 more students going through the training this spring.
This free training is available throughout Jefferson State’s service area (Jeffersion, Chilton, Shelby and St. Clair counties) for municipalities that need truck drivers as well as any companies that need to send their employees through the training.
Contact the Workforce Education department at [email protected] or (205) 856-7710 to learn more, or visit www.jeffersonstate.edu/fasttrack.
Skills for Success is the Alabama Community College System’s rapid workforce training program launched in 2022. It was developed in partnership with the state’s businesses and industries so the training is aligned with the skills employers say workers need to fill available jobs.
Skills for Success training is offered at no cost to participants. The Innovation Center is a division of the Alabama Community College System that brings together the state’s community colleges, business and industry, and community partners to deliver Skills for Success training.
