Employers will receive a perk from the state of Iowa when they hire in-state CDL holders and offer entry-level training. Called the Iowa Entry-Level Driver Training Program, the initiative reimburses freight transportation outfits and certified third-party training organizations now that Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has put $6 million into the grant pool.
“Truck drivers play such a critical role in meeting our supply chain demands. ‘If you got it, a truck driver brought it.’ Like the rest of the nation, Iowa, too, has a high demand for truck drivers. And, in order to meet that demand, we need innovative solutions that reduce barriers for anyone interested in obtaining a CDL,” Gov. Reynolds reportedly said. “This new program will break down barriers that currently exist for obtaining a CDL and provide support to organizations who sponsor these critical training opportunities right here in Iowa.”
The governor’s office has been critical of a mandate by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) that adds to the challenges of aspiring CDL professionals. The FMCSA is now “requiring all new drivers to undertake additional training requirements on top of existing CDL standards.” Critics say added requirements and bureaucracy are part of the problem, not a solution to the 80,000 truck driver shortage.
The Iowa grants can reportedly be applied to in-house CDL programs to reimburse instructors, purchase curriculum materials, as well as cover maintenance expenses. Grants can also be secured by employers and used to pay for CDL training tuition for entry-level truckers.
Brenda Neville, president and CEO of the Iowa Motor Truck Association, indicated the governor’s office took proactive measures to bolster the truck driver workforce. Addressing labor shortages in industries such as trucking and nursing has been a top priority. The Iowa Entry-Level Driver Training Program and other worker programs are designed to incentivize niche occupations and eliminate obstacles faced by employers and employees alike.
“This program was created to set up some alternative training methods, particularly for the agricultural segment,” Neville reportedly said. She concurred with the governor that the FMCSA created “a barrier to entry and we are noticing it in the agricultural segment. We have a lot of trucks because we have a lot of farmers.”
The state administers grant reimbursements only after documentation for training certification and a CDL exam within 30 days of a participant’s first day of either behind-the-wheel training or theory instruction. Online applications must be made by Feb. 3 at IowaGrants.gov.
Source: ttnews.com
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