Active military members could begin training for transportation industry jobs before ending their service through a new partnership between Southeastern Community College and the U.S. Defense Department’s SkillBridge initiative.
Southeastern Community College announced in a news release that IowaWORKS has named the West Burlington-based institution’s commercial driver’s license program a SkillBridge Industry Partner. SkillBridge connects active-duty military members in their last 180 days of service with organizations for training and job skill development.
“Our SkillBridge status does more than enhance our program’s credibility,” said Audra Gaddis, SCC Center for Business project manager, in the release. “It’s about community impact. We’re helping service members gain confidence and skills that translate to strong, family-supporting careers. And we’re helping our local employers tap into a dependable, motivated talent pool. It’s a win for everyone involved.”
Military members enrolling in the CDL program will maintain their military pay while studying, the release stated, and will have access to job shadowing, internships and support in applying for jobs. Employers will also be able to host interns of the CDL program “at no cost.”
Meat processing company JBS and lubricant distributor Valley Distribution have both voiced their support for the initiative and an interest in participating, the release stated.
According to the release, the community college collaborated with IowaWORKS and the Mississippi Valley Transportation Sector Board in the past, which had a hand in the development of the SkillBridge partnership.
“This is about building bridges,” Gaddis said in the release. “We’re proud to be part of a national solution that connects people who have served with real opportunities to thrive right here in our community.”
