Clarksville's CDL-A Program Prepares Students for High-Demand Careers and Strengthens Supply Chain
A new initiative in Clarksville, Tennessee, is providing high school seniors with the opportunity to earn their commercial driver's licenses (CDL-A) before graduation. This program, a collaboration between the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System (CMCSS), the Economic Development Council (EDC), TVA Economic Development, and Armored Trucking Academy, aims to address the growing supply-chain challenges by preparing students for careers in the trucking industry. The first cohort of students has completed the program, which is designed to counteract the aging workforce in the trucking sector and the shortage of young drivers entering the profession. The program is free for participating students and offers training not only for future over-the-road drivers but also for those interested in skilled trades such as linemen, diesel mechanics, and heavy-equipment operators. The initiative also includes 'yard dog' positions, which provide young workers with valuable hands-on experience in moving trucks and tra...