Silver State Times

The Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (OED) Board recently approved $400,000 in funding for a new business training program.

According to a press release, OED approved a $400,000 fund for Workforce Innovations for the New Nevada Fund to grow a commercial driver’s license training program at Western Nevada College.

“Our In-Demand Occupation analysis shows that Nevada is 4,509 jobs below the national average in licensed commercial drivers,” Stacey Bostwick GOED Director of Workforce Development said, according to a recent press release. “This program in Carson City will create 100 training slots for jobs with an average starting wage of $24 per hour and begin to address the deficit in an area of critical workforce development need.”

A 2021 National Truck Driving Shortage Report by the American Trucking Association shows that there is a national shortage of truck drivers with the number of jobs expected to increase by up to 170,000 positions. The Nevada Trucking Association estimates that approximately 92% of goods manufactured in Nevada are transported by truck.

"We are extremely thankful to the Governor’s office for support of this program," Kyle Dalpe WNC Interim President said, according to the press release. "The CDL program is one of those that will help train workers for an industry that is seeing significant vacancies. We are pleased to be able to offer this program at two campuses, Carson City, and Fallon. From a program standpoint, this funding will help us get students through faster and into jobs."

According to Tim Aboussleman, senior director of Fleet Operations for ITS Logistics, a full-time Class A licensed truck driver can earn from $65,000 up to $115,000 per year with full benefits.