- Last Updated on Wednesday, 30 September 2020 17:14
The Private Industry Council (PIC) of Westmoreland/Fayette, Inc. (PIC) has been awarded a grant by the Westmoreland-Fayette Workforce Investment Board to provide CDL training and other workforce skills to young adults.
The goal of the grant is to support 19-24 year old at-risk young adults to acquire career specific and employment preparation skills leading to certification and employment in the local transportation industry.
The young adults must meet eligibility criteria established by the Workforce Investment Opportunities Act (WIOA). They must be out-of-school and live in either Fayette or Westmoreland County and are currently under-employed or unemployed.
“This is a great opportunity for a young adult who is looking for a reliable and high paying career to receive a CDL license for free which normally costs several thousand dollars,” said Alec Italiano, Director of Workforce and Economic Development for PIC. “The demand is definitely out there for CDL drivers at all different levels of experience.”
The program consist of 319 hours which will include a customer service curriculum, parenting curriculum, transportation career pathway curriculum, a workforce development curriculum — including industry recognized credentials such as forklift and OSHA 10 — and a 7-week CDL training complete with a hazardous materials endorsement. The program will be offered in several locations including the PIC offices in Greensburg, Lemont Furnace and Douglas Education Center sites in either Monessen or at the Connellsville Airport.
For the young adults who are currently parents or expecting to be a parent, they will also participate in the PIC’s DADS MATTER program. This 20-hour program includes an evidenced based parenting curriculum designed to encourage open communication with the participant’s partner and child as well as provide parenting techniques
Participants will also complete a 40-hour customer service and sales certification through the National Retail Federation. All of the skills obtained through these trainings will provide participants the necessary skills to obtain and retain employment in the local transportation industry.
The Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette, Inc. (PIC), is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, that operates employment, education, and training programs in southwestern Pennsylvania
If you are interested or know someone who might be, please contact the PIC Youth Program at 724-836-2600 ext. 207 or email youthprograms@privateindustrycouncil.com