Part-Time Employee to Full-Time Truck Driver

Tuscola Co. – Gabriel came into the GST Michigan Works! office in November of 2023, facing the struggles of being underemployed at a job he wasn’t passionate about. He was making an average wage, working part-time hours as a crew member for a local flooring company. Gabe wanted to obtain his CDL certification and change his career path altogether. He worked closely with his career coach to set goals towards achieving that. He was eligible for the WIOA program and completed orientation with the Tuscola County GST Michigan Works! office. Shortly after, he was on the way to receiving his CDL certification!

Gabe’s career coach supplied him with the services he needed to complete his CDL program efficiently. These supports included full tuition for the program and mileage reimbursement to assist with the commute to the training location every week. This support allowed Gabe to focus on completing the program successfully, ultimately obtaining his goal of becoming a certified truck driver!

With encouragement and guidance from his career coach, Gabe stayed committed, and his hard work paid off. He obtained his CDL certification in January of 2024, and not long after, Gabe also found full-time employment as a truck driver. He is now successfully employed as a truck driver working full-time with benefits, 75% more than when he came to GSTMW! Underemployed.