Applications open for CDL training grant program

Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD), announced that the latest round of applications for DWD’s Commercial Driver Training Grant program are now open to training providers. This program works to bolster Wisconsin’s driving workforce through providing trainees with a sustainable wage, helping Wisconsinites obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), and meeting demands for one of the state’s most in-demand occupations. “From transporting essential goods to getting our kids to school safely, this critical workforce is the backbone of our businesses, schools, and communities, and I am proud to have secured funding in the budget to extend this innovative program and help meet the needs of our commercial drivers and training providers alike,” said Gov. Evers. “My administration and I have made it a priority to ensure our workforce is ready to meet the needs of the 21st Century, and our work to bolster our workforce, reduce barriers to work, and make smart investments in key sectors continues in earnest.” Administered by DWD’s Office of Skills Development, these grants help businesses, schools, and other Wisconsin-based organizations develop innovative local and regional solutions that meet area workforce needs. The deadline to apply for a Commercial Driver Training Grant is Oct. 28, 2025. The 2025-27 Biennial Budget, signed by Gov. Evers, provided $500,000 over the biennium for the Commercial Driver Training Grant program and extended the program through June 30, 2027. The Commercial Driver Training Grant program reimburses the cost of training students for a CDL with awards of $10,000 to $30,000 and can be used to offset 50 percent of the training costs for each trainee, or $3,000, whichever is less. More information about the grant program is available online at https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/det/. “As a leading ‘hot job’ in Wisconsin, there is high demand for skilled drivers to fill positions across our state,” said DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek. “These training grants will help meet workforce demands and provide trainees the opportunity to gain jobs with family-sustaining wages.” This grant is open to trainers who: • Are listed on the federal Training Provider Registry; • Operate in Wisconsin and train Wisconsin residents; and • Provide training that meets federal Entry-Level Driver Training requirements. Interested businesses are encouraged to learn more about other worker training programs available through DWD’s Office of Skill Development, including the Wisconsin Fast Forward grant program. Individuals interested in a professional truck driver career can find more information on the Job Center of Wisconsin website at https://jobcenterofwisconsin.com/Trucking/Default. aspx and CDL Apprenticeship opportunities at https:// dwd.wisconsin.gov/apprenticeship/occupations/truckdriver. htm.