Chemeketa Community College, in partnership with Willamette Workforce Partnership and Worksource Oregon, will offer free Commercial Driving License (CDL), or truck driving training for thirty candidates for the next ten months. The training primarily takes place on the Chemeketa Salem campus at 4000 Lancaster Drive NE in Salem and with some classes on the Yamhill Valley campus at 288 NE Norton Lane in McMinnville.

Oregon is experiencing a shortage of qualified CDL truck drivers in the region. Because of this need, a collaboration between the three agencies was formed and the CDL program created, with hopes to meet market demands. Tuition, supplies, and Oregon Department of Transportation skills testing is included in this training. 

This opportunity focuses on communities of color, women, low-income individuals, veterans, individuals with disabilities, formerly incarcerated individuals, individuals who receive food assistance or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP), refugees and eligible immigrant populations, seasonal farmworkers, English language learners, members of Oregon’s nine federally recognized Indian tribes, and individuals residing in rural communities (population of less than 50,000). 

“With this partnership between Chemeketa, Willamette Workforce Partnership, and Worksource Oregon, we hope to help alleviate the shortage of CDL drivers in Oregon,” says Paul Davis, Dean of Yamhill Valley Career and Technical Education. “Truck driving is a well-paying career with a high demand.”

Classes are offered on a monthly basis. Please call 503.584.7537 if you have questions or download the application at this link: go.chemeketa.edu/truckdriving.