Regional partnership helping those who face employment barriers train to be HRT operators

Tidewater Community College’s Job Skills Training Program, Hampton Roads Transit and the City of Norfolk are new regional partners in a unique career readiness initiative designed to boost qualified applicants in the transit business who may otherwise face barriers to full employment.

The DriveNOW program, available to Norfolk residents only, seeks citizens who want a stable career in transportation but may face challenges with obtaining employment for various reasons. They must have a valid driver’s license issued on or before Aug. 26, 2017.

DriveNOW training will prepare students to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License learner’s permit, provide a uniform allowance and provide career readiness. Once hired, participants will receive additional on-the-job training to earn a Class B Commercial Driver’s License. After successful completion of the program, participants will be offered full-time employment with HRT as a bus operator.

Classes will be held weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. TCC’s Job Skills Training Program will conduct career development sessions such as life skills, professional appearance enhancement, character education and business communication. Additional occupational training will take place at the downtown Norfolk HRT campus. Altogether, the training will last approximately nine weeks.

Trainees will be paid $14.55 per hour and after graduation, will receive increases until they reach the top rate which is currently $20.76 per hour (an annual base salary of $43,243).

For more information, contact https://gohrt.com/drivenow.