Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird joined local labor officials on Monday to celebrate an American Job Center training program milestone. They recognized the 40th credentialed participant in the AJC’s commercial driver’s license training program.
“This milestone highlights the City of Lincoln’s commitment to helping our community members and businesses grow the great life together,” Gaylor Baird said. “By credentialing individuals with commercial driver’s licenses, we support their economic mobility and help fill a workforce need of our local businesses.”
She also announced that they are doubling their initial goal and will seek to credential an additional 40 community members. Dylan Wren is the AJC Workforce Administrator and says the CDL training initiative covers all tuition costs at driving academies and assists participants with transportation, childcare and licensing fees.
In addition, Wren says the center connects individuals with employers upon completion of the training. Of the 66 program participants to date, 40 have earned their licenses, 20 are currently in training and six did not complete training. Of the 40 credentialed drivers, 31 are now employed, and nine are recent graduates currently seeking employment.
Since 2024, the City of Lincoln has invested $686,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds toward CDL training to address the growing demand for tractor-trailer truck drivers in Lincoln and Lancaster County. Wren said that the program is successful because training can be completed in as little as five weeks and most participants find employment quickly.
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