Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) announced that the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development Board approved a $400,000 grant to grow a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Training Program at Western Nevada College. Earlier this month, Senator Cortez Masto secured $700,000 for this program as part of the as part of the bipartisan Fiscal Year 2022 omnibus appropriations package.
“I’m working in the Senate to lower prices, address supply-chain issues, and create jobs,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “This program at Western Nevada College helps train truck drivers for good-paying jobs in our transportation sector—drivers that are urgently needed to address workforce shortages and resolve supply-chain issues.”
“Increased funding for our CDL Program will allow us to expand the trucking workforce and combat supply chain issues here in Nevada,” said Western Nevada College Interim President Kyle Dalpe. “We appreciate the support of Governor Sisolak and Senator Cortez Masto in securing a total of $1.1 million to help us ramp up this program and train Nevadans for in-demand jobs.”
Nationally, there is an estimated shortage of 80,000 commercial drivers, according to American Trucking Association. The Nevada Trucking Association estimates that roughly 92 percent of manufactured goods in Nevada are transported in trucks, making a trained truck-driving workforce critical to ensure goods and services reach the state.
Senator Cortez Masto has advocated for an array of workforce development programs to help Nevadans find careers in in-demand industries. The program at Western Nevada College was one of several she secured funding for in the bipartisan omnibus package. She has also supported legislation and grants to develop the workforce through training in in-demand industries like health care, travel and tourism, and transportation.
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