Free CDL Training Offered in September at SOWELA in Lake Charles

SOWELA Technical Community College’s Office of Workforce Solutions is now offering free training for those interested in getting their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). This opportunity is made possible through a partnership with Venture Global LNG and is available to residents of Calcasieu Parish. The training will take place at SOWELA’s Main Campus in Lake Charles, LA.

The CDL Class A license training program is a detailed 245-hour course that includes both classroom learning and hands-on driving experience. Students will learn about the rules and regulations set by the Louisiana Department of Transportation (DOT), as well as important skills like pre-trip inspections, backing up, and on-the-road driving.

For those who don’t yet have their CDL permit, SOWELA also offers a free online course to help students prepare before starting the main training program.

At the end of the program, students will take a final skills test, which is given by state-approved examiners. Once they pass and receive their state license, they will be qualified to drive a variety of vehicles, including tractor-trailers, dump trucks, tow trucks, delivery trucks, tanker trucks, and flatbed trucks.

The demand for truck drivers is high, with the Louisiana Workforce Commission listing tractor-trailer truck drivers as a four-star job. Experienced drivers can earn over $28 per hour, and the job outlook is strong across the country.

If you’re a resident of Calcasieu Parish and are interested in this free CDL training, you can call (337) 421-6560 or email workforce@sowela.edu for more information or to register.

For those who live outside of Calcasieu Parish, SOWELA offers a paid CDL training program during the summer, which costs $5,950. Scholarships and financial assistance are available for those who qualify.

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