Schools in Klamath, Benton and Linn counties hope to graduate 43 professional drivers.
Two community colleges in Oregon have received federal funding to help veterans and others get commercial driver licenses. It’s part of a larger effort to address a massive shortage of professional drivers in the U.S.
A commercial driver license, or CDL, is required to work careers operating large vehicles like semi trucks and buses.
Klamath Community College was awarded $135,000 and Linn-Benton Community College got $130,000 to expand their CDL programs. In total, $3.5 million was awarded to 27 schools in primarily Iowa, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Oregon and Texas. The money comes from the 2022 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The allocations were announced Aug. 26 by the offices of U.S. senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, who supported the infrastructure bill. At KCC, whose program boasts a graduation rate of 98%, the money is expected to produce 23 student drivers. LBCC is expected to grow its program by 20 students.
Officials hope to provide opportunities to current and former military members and their spouses, as well as increase training opportunities for candidates from rural and underserved communities.
“Every little bit helps,” Jana Jarvis, president of the Oregon Truckers Association, tells Oregon Business. “We have been short drivers for a number of years.”
The trucking industry expanded significantly during the pandemic as people spent more on consumable goods than on experiences. That trend has since reversed and Jarvis says her industry has experienced recession for the past 12 to 18 months.
“I’m glad to see grants like this come through because it gives community colleges the opportunity to really promote the industry,” Jarvis says.
Promoting the trucking as a viable career is a constant challenge, according to Jarvis. Retirements are a factor with 46 being the average age of a truck driver, far older than the average U.S. worker. Another impediment is that CDL programs, including those at KCC and LBCC, cost between $4,000 and $6,000 and take around six weeks.
Many truckers are on their second or third career. One reason is an age requirement of 21 for interstate truck driving, which decreases the effectiveness of high-school outreach efforts, according to Jarvis. The trucking industry is pushing to lower the age limit for interstate trucking to 18.
Driving heavy trucks and tractor trailers pays around $54,000 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Experienced drivers can earn $76,000 and higher.
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