Leeward Community College is tackling Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s pressing bus driver shortage with the introduction of a new Bus Driver Training class, set to launch on January 13, 2025. The program is part of the college’s expansive Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training initiatives, designed to address workforce gaps across the state.

The 80-hour Bus Driver Training class equips participants with the skills needed to obtain a CDL and pursue careers as professional drivers. Applicants must have their prior to registration.

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Tackling a severe shortage

Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s Department of Education has faced a severe school bus driver shortage, which led to route suspensions impacting more than 3,700 students statewide during the last school year. The department has been during the current school year, and needs 87 additional drivers.

“By expanding our CDL training programs, we’re not only helping alleviate the immediate bus driver shortage but also supporting Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s broader economic recovery and workforce needs,” said Michael Scully, Leeward CC commercial driver training coordinator.

Leeward CC is committed to providing practical workforce solutions while strengthening ties with community and industry stakeholders. The new driver training program, supported by industry partnerships, includes a donated training bus from Ground Transport Inc.

Free short-term training classes leading to industry credentials in the resilient sectors of healthcare, technology and the skilled trades are being offered this summer at through the program. Hundreds of people will be eligible for these trainings, but those interested should apply now through the .

Trainings being offered this summer include certified nurse aide in the healthcare sector, CompTIA industry certifications for IT-related jobs, and carpentry pre-apprenticeship, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) and commercial driver license prep in the skilled trades—all leading to employment and apprenticeship pathways.

“While our state continues to revitalize its economy, we must focus on educating our own residents to fill the high-demand jobs in our communities,” said UH President David Lassner. “These fast-track trainings being offered by our UH Community Colleges are an opportunity to build a quality workforce pipeline for our local employers and to help our communities return back to work.”

Employment and a better future

The Hana Career Pathways program prepares students to apply for registered apprenticeships and related degree programs, and connects students with work-based learning opportunities such as paid internships and guaranteed interviews with local employers.

“I was a stay-at-home mom and thought this program would be perfect for me,” said Sammilyn Pule-Kaahanui, of MolokaÊ»i, a recent graduate from the pharmacy technician training program at UH Maui College. “I completed the course and I am now a certified pharmacy technician. I would recommend this program to anyone who wants to learn and increase their employment paths and overall better their future.”

$2 million for tuition

More than $2 million in Hana Career Pathways funding from the U.S. Department of Education is available for tuition this year. Eligible applicants receive tuition assistance for courses and other training costs such as books and industry certification exam fees. The program is free for most eligible participants, since many of the trainings provide a 100% tuition subsidy to cover all costs. Wrap-around services are also offered to students including college and career advising, referrals to community partners with supportive services, and other financial assistance.

“This free summer program provides a new opportunity for graduating high school students to be trained for the world of work, and to earn industry certifications that will help them succeed both in the workforce and in their educational pursuits,” said Stephen Schatz, executive director, Â鶹´«Ã½ P–20 Partnerships for Education. Graduating high school seniors are encouraged to .

Financial support for the Hana Career Pathways was provided by the U.S. Department of Education federal grant #V425G200038, Reimagining Workforce Preparation: Hana Career Pathways, in the amount of $13,370,383.58 for the period of October 1, 2020–September 29, 2023. Grants from the Ascendium Education Group, Â鶹´«Ã½ Community Foundation and the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation support the UH Community Colleges’ coordination with industry partners in targeted sectors identified as recession-resilient in , issued by the Â鶹´«Ã½ Executive Collaborative.

With more than 50 students obtaining their (CDL) during the pandemic, has become one of the state’s leaders in training truck drivers, and preparing students for the state licensing exam. The program reached a new milestone and is now listed on the (FMCSA) . This ensures that all CDL curricula, facilities, instructors, vehicles and state licensing requirements are in compliance with the new Entry-Level Driver Training final rule imposed by the FMCSA.

The new rule goes into effect on February 7, 2022, and changes the education requirements for anyone who wants to obtain a CDL, upgrade a CDL, or obtain a passenger, school bus or hazmat endorsement. To comply with the rule, individuals will have to successfully complete a training program provided by a school or other entity on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry.

Â鶹´«Ã½ State CDL Examiner Monica Iras said, “The new rule will help promote safer and more knowledgeable truckers.”

Leeward CC Instructor Mike Scully, who teaches and coordinates the Commercial Motor Vehicle Series offered through the , worked tirelessly to ensure the program met the rigorous standards put in place by the new rule.

“Adding the new ‘theory-based curriculum’ was very challenging,” Scully said.

He developed an online course that covers the five core areas mandated, encompassing 30 modules of required learning. Previously, trucking students were educated on how to obtain their license and drive safely. Now, with the theory-based curriculum, trucking students will be introduced to every facet of being a truck driver, including: their rights, the laws, penalties if a violation is committed, environmental issues, safe driving techniques, trucking skills and more.

• Related UH News story: Commercial truck driver training at Leeward CC on a roll, July 7, 2021

Adding more in-person instruction to the existing training would have meant a longer duration to complete the program and higher tuition. To mitigate this, the new theory-based portion is offered online through Laulima, the University of Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s online class portal. For more information visit the program website, or contact Scully at mscully@hawaii.edu.

Interested Â鶹´«Ã½ residents who are unemployed or underemployed may qualify for full tuition funding for this and other industry training at the Â鶹´«Ã½Community Colleges through the program.

—By Tad Saiki

“Short-term training for a lasting career” is what Leeward Community College’s (CMV) series provides students, according to instructor Mike Scully.

This program, offered through Leeward CC’s (OCEWD), prepares participants for their commercial driver’s license (CDL) in just seven weeks.

Scully is a prime example of how this program can quickly help an individual launch a new career as a truck driver. Formerly a culinary faculty who was reassigned to OCEWD, he decided to take the class (with no previous truck driving experience) with the hopes of becoming an instructor.

“I envisioned this as an opportunity to contribute to our program and help those in the community,” he said.

Setting an example

While working full-time as a coordinator, Scully was eventually able to obtain his Class A CDL license, including all of the CDL endorsements (a total of 11 tests), and land a job driving tractor-trailers for Y. Hata & Co., Ltd. This job gives him road experience that adds value to his classes.

As an educator, and motorcycle safety instructor for eight years, Scully’s skill as a teacher is proven as all 13 of the students from his last three classes have obtained their CDL licenses and six more will be taking their tests in a few weeks. Many of these students were displaced workers who took advantage of funding from the O‘ahu Back to Work initiative, or the American Job Center on Oʻahu, which covered the cost of tuition.

For Kahalepuna “Puna” Tani, this class came at just the right time.

“It was one of the only (CDL) classes running at the time. They were quick to respond and were willing to take me,” Tani said. “With funding through the American Job Center, I was able to take this class. My experience was awesome. Mike did an awesome job of training us. To me, anyone could pass the class if they put in the time and effort.”

It didn’t take long for Tani to find work, landing a full-time position at J&M Cesspool and Septic Pumping, LLC as a truck driver.

Industry partnerships

With so many applicants from Leeward CC trying for a CDL license, the State CDL Licensing Office took notice. Lead examiner Monica Irlas now visits the Leeward CC campus to speak to Scully’s classes, offering them an educational interaction instead of just meeting them in a testing situation.

Being in the industry has also allowed Scully to develop partnerships with employers. He is currently training technicians and marketing staff from International Trucks of Hawaii to obtain their CDL license, and he is working on expanding into Class B CDL training this summer with several businesses. Having these partnerships also allows him to connect his students with possible future employers.

“CDL drivers are working every day and keeping the island going during this pandemic,” Scully said. “Many displaced workers are realizing that they will always have a job if they can obtain their CDL.”

For more information visit the (CMV) program website, or contact Mike Scully at mscully@hawaii.edu.