TORRINGTON – Eastern Wyoming College (EWC) is now taking applications for its Commercial Drivers License (CDL) training program. 

Stephen Sinks, CDL program coordinator, and Donna White, associate director for Workforce Development and Community Education at EWC, held an information session about the four week course on Oct. 20 where they answered prospective students’ questions. 

“There’s a major need for people who want to be committed to drive right now,” Sinks told attendees.

Tuition for the program is $3,660, plus the cost of a DOT physical examination and learner’s permit fees. Prospective students could apply for grant funding through Wyoming Works, a state grant program with resources targeted at adult students to advance their skills in areas that lead to secure employment.

Wyoming Works was adopted by the 2019 Wyoming Legislature and signed by Gov. Mark Gordon, allocating a total of $5 million – $3 million for individual grants to students with the remaining $2 million available to finance program development at the state’s seven community colleges. 

Currently, there are 17 programs at EWC for which students are eligible for up to $1,680 in grant funding per semester for six semesters. 

Megan Salway, workforce specialist at the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services (DWS), said those who qualify could receive assistance in paying for the CDL program from DWS as well.

“We have truck drivers come in all the time looking for help, and we have had no one to refer them to because no one has their program,” Salway said. 

EWC previously had a CDL program, Sinks said, and they’re now looking to start the new four week program Nov. 2. 

Sinks said EWC purchased a truck and trailer for the course that will accomodate four students at a time. To complete the program, students must register 140 hours of classroom time and 34 hours behind the wheel. 

Sinks said come 2022, all truck drivers will need to have been trained through a registered CDL training program. To register for the course, potential students need to submit a completed application, provide a copy of their drivers license, make an appointment for an interview and have a DOT physical and drug test, White said. 

White said four week courses will be held on a rolling basis. Once one session is completed, there will be a week-long break followed by another four week session.

Anyone interested in completing the program can contact EWC Community Education by calling 532-8323 or 532-8213, or visiting their website, ewc.wy.edu/communityed/.