Ryan Hill knew that getting a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) would help his career prospects, and help his employer, the Chester Town Highway Department, by allowing him to operate more types of equipment. But the $6,600 cost for the CDL class was prohibitive to a 21-year-old.
But earlier this year, his boss, Chester Highway Superintendent Jason Monroe, told Hill about a scholarship program overseen by Warren County Department of Workforce Development that would pay for his CDL training, which would aid both the Highway Department and Hill’s career.
Hill has always had an affinity for working with equipment, having joined the Chester Town Highway Department full time in April 2022 after two years of trades classes at BOCES while a student at North Warren High School.
But the lack of a Class A commercial driver’s license limited what he could do for the department. He could drive a dump truck, but not pull a trailer with it, or operate certain machinery without a CDL.
That changed this fall, after Hill finished 24 hours of classwork around his Highway Department job, and did required hands-on training with Jess Barton, a Warren County Department of Public Works supervisor. He passed his exam in late November to become CDL-certified, just in time for a busy winter of snow plowing.
“I worked here (Chester Highway Department) during the day and went to classes at night,” Hill explained. “It wasn’t easy, but it’s been a great experience. I’m very appreciative of the opportunity. Now I am able to do whatever they need me to do here.”
The Highway Superintendent Monroe said he learned about the CDL scholarship program from Chester Supervisor John Maday, and a truck driver for a local fuel company had been trained through it as well. Monroe said having a young man with Hill’s skills and training will be a big boon for the department as several staff members approach retirement age.
“It’s a great program. It’s getting tougher and tougher for folks to pay for the training they need, and this allowed me to have a younger guy get a CDL so he can step in and work with the bigger equipment,” Monroe explained.
Warren County Department of Workforce Development continues to have funding for CDL training, healthcare, and other in-demand careers. Those who are interested in learning more can log on to https://swwworkforce.org/ or call Warren County Career Center at 518-743-0925.
Liza Ochsendorf, Warren County Director of Workforce Development, said: “Ryan was an ideal candidate for us to sponsor because he is dedicated to his education and career and he’s been communicative and engaged throughout the whole process. We are proud to help municipalities upskill and retain their workforce by assisting to cover the costs of some of these expensive trainings for in-demand local careers.”