Program Announcement: New in 2026!

Thanks to a federal grant awarded in partnership with the Maine Development Foundation (MDF), Spruce Mountain Adult Education will offer CDL Class A training in our community in 2026. This program will equip students with the hands-on skills and knowledge necessary to pursue a CDL Class A license and launch a career in commercial truck driving — a field in high demand across Maine and beyond.

While the program is not yet open for registration, we are creating an Interest List for students who want to be the first to know when details are finalized.

By joining, you’ll get early updates on:

  • Program requirements
  • Training schedule and start dates
  • Funding and financial aid opportunities

Join the CDL Interest List TODAY!

A Community Investment

This program is part of MDF’s Pathways to Prosperity for a Skilled Forest Workforce initiative, which received $535,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending funds to support workforce development in Maine.

  • Spruce Mountain Adult Education will train 50 students over the next two years in CDL Class A.
  • Students may qualify for stipends up to $1,000 to cover transportation, childcare, and other barriers to participation.
  • The initiative was created to support workers in the Jay region, many of whom were displaced by the 2022 closure of the paper mill, and to address the needs of Maine’s growing forest products industry.
  • MDF is also working with the University of Maine to create free online micro-credentials that highlight opportunities in Maine’s forest product sector.

Click Here to check out the article for more information on the grant.

Click Here to see what else the Maine Development Foundation has been up to

What You’ll Learn

The CDL Class A training program will give you both classroom knowledge and behind-the-wheel experience to prepare for the state licensing exam and real-world driving.

raining will cover:

  • Truck Systems & Safety: Learn about vehicle controls, maintenance checks, and safe operating practices.
  • Pre-Trip Inspections: Step-by-step procedures to ensure your truck is safe before hitting the road.
  • Range Skills: Backing, turning, parking, and coupling/uncoupling trailers.
  • On-the-Road Driving: Practice in real driving conditions, including rural roads, highways, and urban areas.
  • Regulations & Paperwork: Hours-of-service rules, logbooks, electronic logging devices (ELDs), and Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations.
  • Career Preparation: Guidance on how to apply for jobs, what employers expect, and how to continue developing your driving career.
Cost & Funding Options

Program tuition and fees will be announced once final details are set. However, we are working closely with funding partners to ensure cost is not a barrier.

Options are expected to include:

  • EMDC/WIOA Workforce Scholarships – funding for eligible students seeking training in high-demand careers.
  • CSSP (Competitive Skills Scholarship Program) – state support for income-eligible Mainers entering high-demand jobs.
  • HOPE Program – assistance for parents balancing education and family responsibilities.
  • Zero-Interest Payment Plans – flexible installment options through Spruce Mountain Adult Education.

Together, these funding sources are designed to make CDL training accessible to anyone motivated to pursue this career.

Career Outlook

Truck driving is one of the most in-demand careers in Maine and across the nation. With nearly every industry relying on commercial transportation, trained drivers are needed for local, regional, and national routes. Career opportunities include:

  • Local Delivery Driver: Return home daily while supporting businesses in your region.
  • Regional Driver: Operate within New England or the Northeast, balancing travel with regular home time.
  • Over-the-Road (OTR) Driver: Long-haul trucking across states for higher pay and benefits.
  • Industry-Specific Jobs: Drive for construction companies, forestry and paper mills, food distributors, or healthcare supply chains.

CDL Class A drivers in Maine can expect competitive starting wages, opportunities for overtime, and comprehensive benefit packages. Many drivers advance into roles like driver trainer, dispatcher, or fleet manager after gaining experience.