WEST BURLINGTON, Iowa - Southeastern Community College (SCC) and Mt. Pleasant Correctional Facility (MPCF) recently celebrated a milestone: the first six graduates of a new Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training initiative, made possible by an onsite driving simulator.
This achievement represents a strong step forward in expanding training access across Southeast Iowa. It also supports the region’s transportation and logistics workforce, where skilled drivers are in high demand.
The simulator and related program equipment were funded by a $1.9 million Department of Labor (DOL) Strengthening Community Colleges Training grant round IV (SCCIV). These investments help remove barriers for returning citizens and residents of local opportunity zones by providing high-quality, hands-on training close to home.
Graduates earned their CDL Theory and Behind the Wheel Simulation certificates, the first steps toward full licensure. After their release, they will complete on-road training and be ready to start careers where new drivers can earn up to $56,000 in their first year.
For program leaders, the graduation was about more than checking boxes.
“Listening to their goals, excitement, and determination for the future made it clear that credentials are more than certificates,” said Brenda Rubey, Director of CBIZ. “They are catalysts for hope, opportunity, and lasting change.”
SCC’s CDL efforts at MPCF are part of a broader regional approach to workforce development. Through the Transportation Career Pathway, SCC is working with the Mississippi Valley Workforce Development Board, IowaWORKS, Teamsters Local 238, and local employers to align training with industry needs and create more entry points to stable, living-wage careers.
The college recently expanded its efforts with an Integrated Education and Training CDL program for adult learners. SCC is also partnering with the 8th Judicial District Department of Corrections to offer combined High School Equivalency and CDL training.
SCC’s CDL program has also been approved by the Department of Defense as a SkillBridge provider. This designation allows transitioning service members to train for transportation careers while still on active duty.
For these first six graduates, and for many more to come, this program offers more than a credential. It opens the door to opportunity, stability, and a stronger regional workforce. As SCC continues to grow its training options across Southeast Iowa, the impact will be felt by individuals, families, and the region’s economy.
To learn more about SCC’s CDL programs, visit scciowa.edu or call (319) 208-5000.
