National Workforce Development Month Success Story

A Journey of Determination and Resilience

The participant who is a devoted mother and grandmother, was referred from the SNAP program to WIOA in April. She was determined to obtain her Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) so she could provide a better future for her family. Although she had support from family and friends, relying on them created financial and emotional strain on those relationships. Knowing she needed a fast and effective path to independence, the customer enrolled in the four-week CDL training program at ATDS on 6/16/2025. 

While motivated, she faced moments of doubt and anxiety about passing the CDL test. After failing on her first attempt, she leaned heavily on the encouragement and guidance of her Career Navigator. She even sent in a video of herself driving a big truck, showing her progress and commitment. Her Career Navigator responded with uplifting support, reminding her of how far she had come and encouraging her to stay focused. 

With renewed determination, the customer continued her training and successfully passed the Class A CDL exam on her second try 7/12/2025. Immediately after, she began actively searching for work as a professional driver. 

Her persistence, resilience, and hard work paid off. On July 30, 2025, the customer was hired on the spot by Knife River, a well-respected employer in the trucking and construction industry. 

Reflecting on her journey, the customer shared: 
“It takes determination and hard work to be successful. Going through this program really helped me achieve my goals with the help of my Career Navigator. I appreciate her always being available to answer any questions I had. I love that this program exists to help people like me have a better future!” 

This customer’s success story is a powerful example of how the WIOA Adult Program can help individuals overcome personal and systemic barriers to employment. Her journey demonstrates not only the importance of perseverance and self-belief but also the critical role of support systems. With a new career path in motion, she is now well-positioned for a brighter and more stable future for herself and her family.