What if five weeks could be the first step toward a new career and a household-sustaining income?
For unemployed, underemployed and career-changing adults, Western Nevada College’s Commercial Driver License (CDL) Prep program offers a fast-track opportunity to gain the knowledge and hands-on skills needed to earn a Class A commercial driver’s license and enter a field where employers are eager to hire.
The five-week program runs Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., providing students with intensive training designed to prepare them for the Class A CDL exam.
And the training doesn’t stop at helping students earn their license.
WNC connects CDL graduates with employers who are looking to hire, creating a direct pathway from the classroom to a new career. Experienced CDL drivers can earn up to $80,000 or more annually, depending on the employer, position and experience.
“WNC’s CDL program is a great example of how we can quickly connect education with opportunity,” said WNC President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe. “Students can gain valuable, in-demand skills in just five weeks and then take those skills directly into the workforce. When we help someone move from being unemployed or underemployed into a household-sustaining career, we’re not only changing that individual’s future, we’re strengthening the workforce and economy of our region.”
Upcoming classes in Carson City and Fallon have openings, so take the initiative to prepare for a new career. Five-week classes run from Nov. 16 to Dec. 23 and Jan. 11 to Feb. 19 on WNC’s Carson City campus and Nov. 9 to Dec. 18 and Jan. 11 to Feb. 19 on the college’s Fallon campus.
The program is open to adults 18 and older. Students under 21 can drive exclusively within Nevada until they turn 21, while those who meet federal requirements can pursue interstate driving opportunities through participating employers and the federal driver apprenticeship program.
The regular tuition for the program is $4,900, but WNC emphasizes that cost should not prevent someone from pursuing a new career. Scholarships, grants and community workforce partners may be available to cover some or all of the tuition for eligible students.
The program is particularly well-suited for unemployed or underemployed adults, career changers age 45 and older, adults receiving public assistance, and part-time workers seeking a more sustainable career.
Students receive extensive preparation before testing, and WNC does not schedule students for a CDL exam until they are ready. If a student needs to retest while still within the course timeframe, the program provides an opportunity to do so.
Because the five-week schedule is intensive, students are strongly encouraged to attend every class. The program combines classroom instruction with the hands-on training necessary to prepare students for their commercial driving careers.
With demand for qualified commercial drivers remaining strong, WNC’s CDL program offers students a chance to earn an in-demand credential, connect directly with employers and get on the road toward a new career … in just five weeks.
“Five weeks can make a tremendous difference for someone who is ready for a career change or looking for a way to move forward,” said Lauren Slemenda Moore, WNC Continuing Education manager. “Our CDL program gives students the opportunity to gain an in-demand credential in a short period of time, develop the skills employers are looking for and connect directly with companies eager to hire. And with financial assistance available, we don’t want the cost of training to stand in the way of someone pursuing a better career and a brighter future.”
For more information about the CDL program, upcoming classes and financial assistance, prospective students can contact WNC’s Continuing Education program at 775-445-4210 or by emailing conted@wnc.edu.
