Back to list April 10, 2019 New Heavy Equipment, Transportation & Logistics Program Coming This Summer Volvo Construction Materials CUMBERLAND VALLEY, PA (April 9, 2019) – Starting this summer, high school students in the region will be able to take a new program at Cumberland Valley High School (CVHS) focused on the growing needs for jobs related to heavy equipment, transportation and logistics. The program will be held at CVHS and taught by HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College. Students will learn about industry requirements, career pathways, and opportunities in the heavy equipment, transportation and logistics industry. Participants will earn their OSHA 10 Safety Credential and First Aid and Safety Certification. A field trip to a local employer is included. Volvo Construction Equipment also donated a heavy equipment simulator for the program. “According to a recent national survey by the Associated General Contractors of America, two-thirds of construction companies have a hard time finding qualified workers,” said Wade Turlington, Volvo CE, Director – Product Sales & Operator Training. “We’re very proud to be part of this exciting program to help close the skills gap in our region.” The program, which is geared toward juniors and seniors, is open to students who attend Cumberland Valley, Cumberland-Perry Area Vocational Technical School or any other high school in the area. Interested students should contact David Gilbert, the Supervisor of College & Career Pathways at CV through the contact form here. He can also be reached at [email protected] or 717-506-3665. After this program, students can continue down this career path with a HACC certificate program in CDL or logistics. The starting salary for an employee who graduates the CDL 2 program is around $50,000. This program came out of discussions led by Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation’s (CAEDC) efforts of workforce development and needs in the region. CAEDC has been working with educational institutions and employers to identify curriculum that high school students can take to advance them further along before they graduate and prepare them to get directly into the workforce or on to a technical school or certificate program. “Family-sustaining careers, that provide a good income, are available without the need for a traditional four-year degree and with little to no student debt,” said Laura Potthoff, CAEDC Director of Business & Workforce Development. “Employers are currently seeking these highly skilled jobs in Cumberland County.” CAEDC completed an analysis on key occupational gaps that exist in the region. This gap analysis led CAEDC to focus on Healthcare, Advanced Manufacturing and Heavy Equipment. These occupations have the highest demand for workers by 2024, and are good paying jobs. Future plans for this focus area include opening up a similar program for adult learners looking to reskill and adding apprenticeship options that will place students directly into jobs with interested employers. About CAEDC CAEDC is Cumberland County’s authorized agency charged with leveraging and promoting Cumberland Valley’s economic development and tourism assets to drive growth, create jobs and improve the quality of life. Offices are located at 53 W. South Street, Carlisle PA. For more information, visit www.cumberlandbusiness.com and www.visitcumberlandvalley.com.
