Training available for moving van drivers

Free training is available for people who want to become long-distance moving van drivers.

The Lincoln Trail Workforce Investment Board said the jobs could pay $40,000 per year.

According to industry experts, this is one job category that is about to boom in Kentucky and across the nation.

Information sessions about the federally funded training program are scheduled at four different locations in the Lincoln Trail region on Dec. 4 and 5. Those interested in the training and follow on career opportunities are strongly encouraged to attend the information sessions.

Over the next few weeks, as many as 100 men and women in the Lincoln Trail Area Development District (Breckinridge, Grayson, Hardin, Larue, Marion, Meade, Nelson and Washington counties) could be selected to gain moving van operator skills through training. Graduates of the training will earn a Registered American Moving Professionals certification, a

nationally-recognized credential by moving van companies in the American Moving and Storage Association.

The RAMP Program is a three-week course designed in partnership with the

American Moving and Storage Association in cooperation with Jefferson

Community & Technical College. Elizabethtown Community & Technical

College is partnering with JCTC to refer eligible CDL program graduates to the RAMP program. Participants will get classroom work and hands-on skill building and earn four hours college credit at JCTC.

Moving van operators earn competitive salaries, starting at $40,000 per year plus benefits. Drivers often earn between $50,000 and $80,000 per year.

"These are solid, good-paying jobs that are badly needed by the moving van industry and certainly much needed by our citizens," said Mo Miller, chair of the Lincoln Trail WIB. "It's exciting to see this strong partnership pull together to provide rapid training opportunities to make these jobs and careers possible."

Sessions will be held:

Dec. 4 - 10 a.m., Saber & Quill (formerly the Leaders Club), Bullion Room, 1118 Chaffee Ave., Ft. Knox

Dec. 4 - 3 p.m., Elizabethtown Community & Technical College, Room 108 (Regional Post secondary Center), 600 College St. Road, Elizabethtown

Dec. 5 - 10 a.m., Elizabethtown Community & Technical College, Springfield Campus, Room 218, 160 Corporate Dr., Springfield, KY 40069

Dec. 5 - 2 p.m., Grayson County Chamber of Commerce, 425 S. Main St., Leitchfield

Moving van companies participating in the RAMP program with commitments to hiring graduates include: A. Arnold Moving, Armstrong Relocation & Companies - United Van Lines, Coleman American Moving Services, Margaret's Moving & Storage, Tri City Van & Storage, Ace Relocation Systems, Executive Moving Systems and Excel Moving Systems.