Stark State secures grant for CDL training

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recently awarded Stark State College an $88,688 grant to help veterans, active service members and their family members transition into careers in the transportation industry.

The Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training grant funding will cover tuition and required fees for up to 12 military-connected individuals seeking commercial driver’s license training through Stark State.

The college offers Class A and Class B training programs designed to help individuals earn their licenses in a matter of weeks, addressing a persistent shortage of commercial drivers across the region. Ohio workforce data show northeast Ohio must fill more than 3,000 truck driver jobs each year, making it one of the state’s top in-demand occupations.

The program currently serves approximately 220 students annually and maintains a licensure pass rate of more than 95%, the highest in Ohio.

Stark State has a long history of supporting military-connected students and is among a select group of Ohio colleges and universities designated as Collegiate Purple Star campuses by Gov. Mike DeWine for efforts to support military-connected students. Those efforts are bolstered by the college’s Military Services Office, which provides enrollment and educational support services.

Those interested can contact Kimberly Smith at 330-494-6170, ext. 4444, or cdl@starkstate.edu.

Stark State is scheduled to host a CDL information session Tuesday, March 24, at 4:15 p.m. at its CDL training center, 2270 Picton Parkway, Akron. More information is available at starkstate.edu/cdl.

If you want, I can also tighten this for a shorter news brief or adjust the lead for a more veteran-focused angle.