Train for a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and start a career in professional driving. This hands-on program includes classroom learning, yard practice, and real road experience. Multiple training options are available, preparing you for local, regional, or long-haul driving opportunities across a variety of industries.
General Timeframe: Rolling Admissions
Training Duration: 8-12 weeks
Eligibility: No Education Requirement
Age Requirement: Minimum age 18
Average Pay: Starting at $27.10/hour
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Training
The CDL training program prepares qualified candidates to earn a Vermont Commercial Driver’s License and begin a career in professional driving.
Students complete all required components established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), including:
- Classroom instruction
- Hands-on practice in a controlled yard environment
- Real-world, over-the-road driving experience
Successful completion of the program qualifies students to take the CDL skills and road test through the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles.
Some programs offer multiple training pathways depending on experience level and career goals, allowing students to choose the track that best fits their schedule and readiness.
Who This Is For
People who enjoy driving and working independently
- Those looking for a fast path into a stable career
- Career changers ready for hands-on work
- Individuals interested in travel or local delivery routes
Where You Can Work
- Local delivery and regional trucking companies
- Construction and excavation companies
- Waste management and recycling services
- Bus, motorcoach and passenger transport services (with passenger endorsement)
- Long-haul freight companies
Training Options
Multiple training options are available, including Class A, Class B, and Class B-to-A upgrade programs.
*Training Duration: Typically 8-12 weeks, depending on schedule and training track
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must be a U.S. citizen or hold a valid Permanent Resident Card (I-551)
Ready to take the wheel?
Training provided in partnership with
Stafford Technical Center
Start Your Career Path with WIM Academy
Before You Apply
Your training is just the beginning.
Workforce in Motion connects you to mentorship, real-world support, and employers ready to hire. This application helps us match you with the opportunities that come next.
Students applying to Workforce in Motion must complete two applications: one to Workforce in Motion and one to the training program they wish to pursue. Our partner training organizations already maintain rigorous admissions standards for their programs. The Workforce in Motion application ensures students understand the opportunity they are pursuing and are prepared to commit to a serious training pathway.
Workforce in Motion Academy is designed primarily for high school seniors who are approaching graduation and want a clear pathway into the workforce. Seniors are given priority for acceptance, though motivated juniors may apply and may be accepted if space is available. Students who participate are interested in hands-on careers, industry certifications, and real opportunities with Vermont employers. Through WIM Academy, students receive professional career readiness support and direct connections to employers participating in the Workforce in Motion Summit.
Through Workforce in Motion Academy, selected students are able to pursue training pathways at no cost to them. Scholarships supporting this opportunity are made possible through regional workforce development funding administered in partnership with the Rutland Regional Planning Commission. These resources are designed to help students access high-demand career training and enter the workforce with valuable certifications.
Our application helps ensure that students entering the Academy are prepared to take the opportunity seriously. It confirms student intent, ensures families are aware of the commitment involved, and helps us build a strong group of students who are ready to represent Workforce in Motion with professionalism.
What You Need to Apply
To apply for Workforce in Motion Academy, students must submit the following four items together in one email.
1. Workforce in Motion Application Form
Complete the Workforce in Motion Application with your basic information and program interests.
2. Student Written Responses
Choose two of the application prompts and submit written responses explaining your interests, work ethic, and career goals. Responses should not exceed 450 words per prompt.
3. Counselor Confirmation Letter
Submit a signed letter from your high school counselor confirming that you are in good standing to graduate or receive your GED. The letter must include the counselor’s contact information.
4. Letter of Recommendation
Submit one letter of recommendation from a teacher, coach, employer, or community program leader who can speak to your character, reliability, and readiness for a professional training program.
Submitting Your Application
Once all materials are complete, email the full application package to submissions@workforceinmotion.org.
Applicants will receive a confirmation email within two business days confirming that their application has been received. Selected students will receive additional information about acceptance, scholarships, and enrollment in the Workforce in Motion Academy.
Because students must also apply to their chosen training partner program, acceptance into Workforce in Motion does not replace the admissions process required by the partner training organization.
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