Shawnee County highlights first graduating class of CDL training program and rising staffing levels

Shawnee County public works officials recognized the county's first graduating class from its internal Class A commercial driver's license training program at the March 3 commission meeting and reviewed the program's recruitment and staffing results.

A county staff member introduced three graduates by first name and noted they were promoted into regular maintenance positions with a salary increase and a repayment obligation for training costs spread over 50 weeks. The presenter said the training itself is four weeks long and that the immediate salary increase exceeded the repayment amount.

County staff also provided summarized recruiting data: Human Resources forwarded 57 trainee applicants to Public Works, 36 were interviewed, and seven received employment offers and hires (three graduates were present, two more will start March 24). Two candidates did not pass drug screening and two candidates accepted and later declined; 24 interviewed applicants were not extended offers and 21 applicants were not interviewed for various reasons. Staff said two additional trainees will begin March 24 and one candidate is awaiting drug-test results.

Staff said current vacancies are the lowest the department has had in a long time but that District 3 (northwest part of the county, north of Rossville) continues to have four vacancies and is historically difficult to staff; District 4 also has crew leader vacancies. Commissioners and staff discussed using staffing incentives or shift changes for hard-to-fill rural positions and the possibility of assigning dedicated crews for township roads as hiring progresses.

No formal action or budget vote occurred; the presentation was informational and commissioners congratulated the graduates.