Elko, NV — Great Basin College (GBC) has been awarded $630,962 in Workforce Innovations for a New Nevada (WINN) funding from the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) to expand its Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training program.
The funding will allow GBC to increase Class A CDL training at its Elko campus, expand training to Ely, Pahrump and Winnemucca, and launch a new Class B CDL program in Elko. The expansion strengthens Nevada’s transportation and logistics workforce pipeline and addresses ongoing shortages of licensed commercial drivers across the state.
“With strong employer demand and high-wage opportunities available throughout rural Nevada, expanding our CDL program ensures students can access short-term training that leads directly to employment,” said GBC President Amber Donnelli. “This investment helps us meet industry needs while creating economic opportunity for our students and communities.”
The grant will support the purchase of updated training equipment, hiring an additional CDL instructor, and increasing program capacity to serve more students annually across GBC’s service area throughout rural Nevada.
Elko County, the City of Elko and regional employers including Pilot Thomas Logistics, Redi Services, Capurro Trucking, and Wells Propane have expressed strong support for the expansion, citing current and projected hiring needs for CDL-licensed drivers.
Since reestablishing the CDL-A program in 2015, GBC has maintained strong student success and job placement rates, with graduates securing employment in high-demand transportation, logistics, mining support, and construction roles.
Expanded CDL training will begin fall 2026.
The Workforce Innovations for a New Nevada (WINN) program supports training initiatives that align education with employer demand and strengthen Nevada’s workforce.
For more information about CDL training call the Great Basin College Continuing Education office at 775-327-5300.