When Austin Rogers graduated from Stoutland High School in Laclede County, Missouri, in May 2024, he wasn’t just thinking about the moment—he was thinking about the future. Like many young adults, Austin wanted a stable, good-paying job that could grow with him. Thanks to the EDA Good Jobs Challenge Grant, he found it.
Austin enrolled in CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) training at Clement Truck Driving Academy in Lebanon, Missouri. The program, offered through the Central Workforce Development Region as part of the Quadra-Regional Workforce Alliance, is funded by the $17.5 million Good Jobs Challenge grant awarded by the Economic Development Administration (EDA). The grant focuses on serving historically underserved populations across 51 Missouri counties, connecting individuals to in-demand careers in sectors like transportation and logistics.
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With no out-of-pocket cost for training, Austin completed the CDL program and quickly entered the workforce. Before the training, he was earning $20.00 an hour. Now, as a fully employed CDL holder, he earns $28.00 an hour—an incredible jump that has opened doors to greater financial stability and long-term career growth.
Austin didn’t keep the opportunity to himself. After finishing the program, he referred several friends to the Lebanon Job Center, encouraging them to explore CDL training. Those friends are now employed and driving forward in their own careers, proving that one opportunity can spark a ripple effect throughout a community.
This is more than Austin’s story. It’s a powerful example of how Missouri’s workforce development initiatives are transforming lives, one mile at a time.
Way to go, Austin!