In September, Minnesota celebrates Workforce Development Month, a time to highlight how workforce development professionals across the state are connecting Minnesotans with employment and helping employers hire and train the staff they need for their businesses to thrive. Below, Desmond Waddell shares how earning his CDL through Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services, Inc. (CMJTS) has opened new doors in his career as a diesel mechanic and shop manager.
Letter
To Rebecca, Tim, and the CMJTS team,
I want to thank everyone for the assistance and the opportunity to help make a dream of mine come true. I’ve been a diesel mechanic for over eight years at my current employer, Pat Fruth Trucking, and have served as shop manager for the last three. I’ve always wanted to get my CDL to further my career, but the cost of CDL training was a major barrier, trucks and trailers constantly need to be test-driven or taken to dealerships for major repairs, and I never had the opportunity to do that without a CDL.
CMJTS was brought to my attention after I spoke with Adam at Central MN Truck Academy. From there, working with Rebecca made the process easy and welcoming. She stayed in close contact throughout my training, keeping up with my progress and offering support the whole way through.
Now that I’ve achieved my goal, I’ve already put my CDL to use within days, I brought a truck in for warranty work in Alexandria, moved trucks and trailers to and from the alignment shop, and test-drove others. My CDL will also open the door to additional income by allowing me to pick up and deliver loads locally when needed.
I also want to say that I hope CMJTS continues its partnership with Adam at Central MN Truck Academy. He was a great instructor to work with, always accommodating everyone’s schedule while making sure they had the knowledge and training needed to pass their road exam. I wasn’t confident in myself going in, I’ve never been a strong test taker, but Adam believed I was ready, and he was right.
Thank you again for this life-changing opportunity.
Sincerely,
Desmond Waddell
Shop Manager, Pat Fruth Trucking
