February 8, 2023
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – To highlight her career as a woman in the trucking industry, Jessica Kidd represented Johnson County Community College (JCCC) as a graduate of the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) program during the State of the Union address Feb. 7 at the U.S. Capitol. Kidd was a special guest of U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, a fellow JCCC alum.
“Having my CDL means I can be a provider and support my fiancée’s business—and JCCC’s program gives me the flexibility I need to be able to attend class and continue working to provide for my family,” Kidd said in a press release from Davids’ office.
JCCC’s CDL program combines classroom learning and behind-the-wheel training to prepare students to pass the CDL exam in Kansas or Missouri. In the nine-week or accelerated four-week program, students combine classroom learning with up to 60 hours of behind-the-wheel range training to develop skills needed to land high-demand trucking jobs.
“Our work as a regional partner addressing workforce development challenges is core to our mission at JCCC,” said Dr. Andy Bowne, JCCC president. “It continues to be our privilege to guide students toward success in new careers as CDL drivers—a high-demand, high-wage occupation that supports our country’s supply chain needs.”
JCCC’s CDL program boasts an impressive 96% graduation rate, and many of those graduates secure high-paying positions. With a low student-to-instructor ratio of 3:1, JCCC’s CDL program is a leader in training safe, licensed drivers to meet the needs of businesses in the community, the Midwest and the country.
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