Your future, our focus
POWELL, Wyo. - Financial assistance is available now to train Big Horn Basin residents to drive truck for local businesses, agriculture or the oil and gas industry.
The Northwest College Center for Training and Development in Powell (CTD) encourages businesses to apply now for a Wyoming Workforce Development Training Grant to help cover the enrollment cost of a Class A CDL Truck Driver Training course beginning in October.
The grant deadline is Friday, Sept. 27, but because of the high volume of applications, the CTD encourages area businesses to submit their application as far in advance of the deadline as possible.
The training begins Monday, Oct. 28, and runs through Nov. 19. It includes classroom instruction from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays, plus driving times that are scheduled in the evenings and on weekends.
Students enrolled in the training will have 50 hours of classroom/lab time plus 30 hours of behind-the-wheel driving time to prepare for the Wyoming Commercial Driver’s License Exam. All behind-the-wheel training is provided with one student per truck.
Classroom instruction focuses on defensive driving, pre- and post-trip vehicle inspection, coupling and uncoupling, vehicle systems and controls, driver communications, speed and space management, visual search techniques, backing and employer relations.
Behind-the-wheel instruction includes backing and parking, braking and slowing, proper turns, basic control, emergency equipment, coupling/uncoupling and vehicle inspection.
Instruction is provided by Sage Truck Driving Schools. Cost is $4,595 per person but can be lowered significantly through a Wyoming Workforce Development Training Grant.
More information about the Truck Driver Training and the training grant is available online, or email or call the NWC Center for Training and Development in Powell at 307-754-6062.