EICC Receives Federal Grant to Support Veteran-Focused CDL Training

Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC) has received a $79,800 federal Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training (CMVOST) grant to support recruitment and enrollment in its Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training program, with a focus on veterans, active-duty service members, and military families. 

The grant will fund tuition for at least 14 students, covering the $5,700 cost per student, and expanding access to short-term, high-quality commercial driver training that emphasizes safety and workforce readiness. 

“This grant allows us to better serve those who have served our country by helping them transition into high-demand civilian careers,” said Karri Frank, dean of continuing education at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges. “Our five-week truck driving program is designed to move students quickly from training to employment, while maintaining the high safety standards the industry depends on.” 

EICC’s five-week truck driving program is offered at the Muscatine campus and the Blong Technology Center, combining classroom instruction with extensive hands-on, behind-the-wheel training. Students are taught by an instructor with extensive industry experience, ensuring training is grounded in real-world expectations and current safety practices. 

The CMVOST grant program is designed to reduce crashes involving commercial motor vehicles by increasing the number of CDL holders who receive enhanced safety training. A congressional priority of the program is to assist current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including National Guard members, Reservists, and their spouses, in earning a CDL and entering the transportation workforce. 

Graduates of EICC’s truck driving program are prepared to meet federal licensing requirements and pursue immediate employment in the commercial transportation industry, supporting employers throughout Eastern Iowa and the region.