Cook County Higher Education offers free CDL training to help alleviate bus driver shortage
Changes to school transportation services during the pandemic paired with low wages for bus drivers have contributed to a nationwide school bus driver shortage.
As transportation services have resumed, schools and communities are left scrambling to provide adequate student transportation services. One of the factors to play a role in decreased recruitment efforts is the cost and length of time to secure a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
In Cook County, one community organization is leading the way to alleviate that issue.
Cook County Higher Education (CCHE) offers a handful of diverse classes and training for individuals looking to develop new skills, advance their careers, or gain certification in a particular field.
CCHE is offering a free CDL training program on August 31. The CDL training is a hybrid learning program that allows students to complete the online learning portions from the comfort of their homes.
“So you have 33 online modules that you do over the month of September,” said Kelsey Rogers Kennedy, associate and program director for Cook County Higher Education.
Kennedy said registered CDL students can take their time working through the online modules during the evenings or weekends. Students have from September 1 to September 30 to complete the online portion of the training.
During September, students will also complete a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical, pass a background check, and five-panel drug screening.
“We try to have most of that done in Cook County, so you don’t have to leave the area,” said Kennedy.
CCHE is offering two sessions for the CDL training. The first session is for individuals looking to acquire a CDL-A and the second session is for a CDL-bus endorsement. The CDL-A requires 40 to 50 hours behind the wheel, while the CDL-bus endorsement requires 25 hours. Instructors for the driving portion of the training are residents of Cook County.
Kennedy shared that the CDL training can be “Potentially a career change for some people, maybe income booster. So lots of reasons why this benefits our community as a whole.”
Cook County ISD 166 has an open position for a bus driver to help with morning or afternoon routes. Kennedy said the free CDL class is “Absolutely a component of why this program came together.”
“I know that they have increased the pay to $24 an hour at ISD 166 for bus drivers,” She said. “We know that there’s an incredible need and just for backup, even if they aren’t going to be full time, it can be perfect for somebody that just wants to be a retiree that can pitch in a little bit.”
Kennedy said that while CCHE has numerous individuals signed up for the August 31 CDL training, a few spots remain. “So give us a call. We’d be happy to talk it through and see if this works for you.”
WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins spoke with Kelsey Rogers Kennedy the associate and program director for CCHE to learn more about the CDL training program and its value to Cook County. Audio from the interview is below.
Kalli Hawkins August 29, 2022
