New CDL Training Program at MCCC
Mercer County Career Center is excited to announce a new partnership to offer CDL training with CNB Wagner Enterprise. This partnership was born from a need that was presented to Penn Northwest from Mercer County’s local transportation industry leaders. They shared with Penn Northwest and Mercer County Career Center the need for more CDL licensed drivers. Following that meeting, MCCC set out to find a partner that would be able to carry out the training and testing to meet the demand. About a year ago, MCCC met with Bret and Chrischelle Wagner who operate a CDL training and testing provider in Tionesta, PA. They have a unique training program that delivers theory through an online course. Once that training is complete and students receive a permit, students are scheduled to complete the behind-the-wheel portion of the program in a 1-week, 40-hour section that culminates in training and testing at Mercer County Career Center. MCCC Assistant Director/Continuing Education Coordinator, Aaron Kline says, “CNB Wagner’s training program is designed to help adult learners who have busy lives as it promotes flexibility in theory training and allows for a condensed behind-the-wheel and testing portion that sees a high successful completion rate.”
After over a year of discussions and planning, six students have already successfully completed the program. Penn Northwest’s Director of Workforce Development Jake Rickert is excited about the new training program in the county. As Mercer County’s lead economic development organization Rickert stated, “we are excited about the program as this is an excellent example of different organizations collaborating to create opportunities that meet needs in our county. The addition of this program will help fill good, wage-earning careers that only help to strengthen our communities.”
Bret Wagner of CNB Wagner has seen the need for the expansion of CDL training as well. They not only have satellite training opportunities in Mercer County, but they have also created a training site at Crawford Tech in Meadville. “We are excited about widening our footprint in Western PA, by moving into Mercer County to help fill this gap in the industry,” says Wagner.
Funding is available to help with training. To enroll or to find more information please contact Aaron Kline at 724-662-3000 or visit www.mercerccc.org/page/adultccontinuing -education-home1
