Wor-Wic Community College recently earned $133,700 in funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) through a Commercial Motor Vehicle Operational Safety (CMVOST) grant for fiscal year 2025. The funding will support commercial driver’s license (CDL) training, especially for current or former members of the U.S. Armed Forces, their spouses and their children, as well as for underserved populations.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for our local veterans, who are some of the most capable people in the workforce,” said Jason M. King, director of veterans services at Wor-Wic. “Their experience and training set them apart — and having them fill a critical role in the supply chain benefits our whole community.”
Veteran Mark Wheeler of Powellville is benefiting as he pursues his commercial driver’s license at Wor-Wic. “It helps not to have to pay out of pocket,” he said.
The program also makes funding available for members of marginalized communities, including people of color and others who have been historically underserved and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality, as well as refugees.
“CMVOST funding will create opportunities for various communities to take CDL training who otherwise would not be able to afford it,” said Denean Jones-Ward, director of continuing education and workforce development, transportation, adult and community development. “Wor-Wic’s truck driver training is making a difference in the lives of so many who will be able to financially support themselves and their families.”
The mission of FMCSA is to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities involving large trucks and buses. The agency is awarding more than $3.5 million to states and other entities through the CMVOST grant, which seeks to reduce the severity and number of crashes on our nation’s roads involving large trucks and buses by expanding the number of CDL holders possessing enhanced operator safety training.
“At FMCSA, our job is all about safety – that includes safety of the roadways and safety of our nation’s commercial motor vehicle drivers,” said Vinn White, FMCSA deputy administrator. “So, we are proud to make this funding available, and are committed to working with the awardees to put it to good use, making it easier for drivers to enter into and stay in the commercial motor vehicle industry.”
Visit www.worwic.edu for information about CDL programs or veterans services.