Dads Matter to DEC
Douglas Education Center is partnering with the Private Industry Council of Westmoreland County and the Dads Matter Program to provide fathers from three nearby counties the opportunity to train for their commercial driver’s license (CDL) for free. Yes, you read that right, they can train for free.
The funding for this phenomenal program comes from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Federal Fatherhood Program. The program is available to dads who live in Westmoreland, Washington or Fayette counties.
The commercial driving industry is at an all-time high for hiring in the area of Southwestern Pennsylvania so much so that many companies are offering sign-on bonuses to attract drivers. If you know a dad in the area who is looking for an opportunity to change careers to be able to provide substantially more for his family send him to DEC.
“We get calls every week for truck drivers coming out of our CDL program. There are far more truck driving jobs available than drivers right now. Starting salaries for new drivers are going up because of the demand. Many companies even offer sign-on bonuses.”
– Jeffrey D. Imbrescia, president and CEO of DEC
DEC’s CDL program is only seven weeks long and prepares students to sit for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania CLD Class “A” and tanker endorsement permit. Once the students obtain their permits they are able to receive hands-on experience driving a commercial vehicle in DEC’s training facility on Monessen as well as a new training facility at the Joseph A. Hardy Connellsville Airport. Once trained on the commercial vehicle the students are prepared to sit for the examination to receive their CDL Class “A” and tanker endorsement license.
“The Private Industry Council has been a leader in workforce development in our region for over 35 years. This partnership with DEC and the Dad’s Matter Grant will create opportunities for Dad’s to obtain a short-term credential in as little as seven weeks and have multiple job offers that enable them to provide high wage resources to their families. This program provides that opportunity for any participating dad in the three-county area.”
– Sean Sypolt, Vice President of Business Service Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette Inc.
If you are interested in this program, please contact Douglas Education Center’s Admissions Department at 724-684-DOUG (3684) for more information.
