Madison County to offer free heavy equipment operator, CDL-B training

Thanks to a grant from the state Department of Labor, Madison County will be offering two rounds of heavy equipment training and CDL-B License training to unemployed or underemployed residents. 

Madison County was awarded $96,900 through the CNYREDC to train 19 unemployed or underemployed individuals with HEO and CDL-B licenses. There is a huge demand for individuals who possess these licenses. With this training, the Madison County Career Center hopes to help fill those positions and help those who are unemployed in our area find a good paying job.

The Heavy Equipment Operator Training will take place at Madison-Oneida BOCES, while the CDLB training will take place at Mohawk Valley Community College Rome Campus.

Participants will begin their training with the Heavy Equipment Operator Program.  This is an 8-week program at the MOBOCES Verona Campus.  Training will be held Monday-Thursday, 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM and Saturdays 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM.  After completion of the Heavy Equipment Operator Program, participants will begin the CDL-B License training at the MVCC Rome Campus.  This training will last 2-3 weeks depending on drive time. 

These training programs are covered by the grant; there will be no cost to the selected participants. If you would like to participate in this program, you must agree to attend both training programs, be able to pass a DOT physical and drug test, must have a valid driver’s license and must be at least 18 years old. Participants must also live in the Central New York region (Madison, Onondaga, Oswego, Cayuga and Cortland counties). Priority will be given to Madison County residents.

The first session of HEO training will begin April 1; the second session is expected to start June 10; CDL-B training will follow completion of HEO training.

Those interested in participating in this program should call Ellen Bowe or Tom Reichel at the Madison County Career Center 315.363.2400. Applications for the April 1 start date are due by March 8, 2019. Once all 19 positions for the year are filled, applications will no longer be accepted.