Will unemployment pay for my CDL training in New York?
Hey everyone, I've been collecting unemployment for about 6 weeks now after getting laid off from my warehouse job. I keep seeing ads for CDL training programs and truck driving seems like it could be good steady work. Does anyone know if NYS Department of Labor will pay for CDL training while I'm on unemployment? I heard there might be some kind of training program but I'm not sure how it works or if I'd still get my weekly benefits while doing it. Has anyone done this before?
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Connor Murphy
Yes, NYS Department of Labor does offer training programs through their Workforce Development system! You'll want to look into the WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) program. They can cover CDL training costs and you may be able to continue receiving benefits during training. You need to contact your local One-Stop Career Center to get approved first - don't just enroll in any program or you could lose your benefits.
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Zainab Omar
•Thanks! Do you know how long the approval process takes? I found a 3-week CDL program that starts next month.
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Yara Sayegh
i did this last year!! got my cdl paid for and kept getting my unemployment the whole time. you have to get it approved through workforce one first though, they have a list of approved schools
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Zainab Omar
•That's awesome! How long did it take to get approved and what was the process like?
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Yara Sayegh
•took about 2 weeks for approval, had to meet with a counselor and show them job prospects in trucking. totally worth it though, making way more now than my old job
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NebulaNova
Be careful with this - I tried to get training approved and they denied me because they said there weren't enough truck driving jobs in my area. Even though I was willing to relocate! The NYS Department of Labor can be really picky about what training they'll approve. Make sure you have a solid plan for employment after.
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Keisha Williams
•That's frustrating but not surprising. The approval depends a lot on your local job market and the counselor you get. If you can show strong demand for CDL drivers in your area or nearby regions, that helps a lot with approval.
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Paolo Conti
I've been trying to get through to someone at NYS Department of Labor for weeks to ask about training programs but can never get anyone on the phone! The automated system just hangs up on me after an hour. Has anyone found a way to actually talk to a real person about this?
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Keisha Williams
•I had the same problem with getting through to NYS Department of Labor agents. I ended up using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get connected to unemployment agents by phone. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting disconnected.
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Paolo Conti
•That sounds helpful! I'll check it out, thanks for the tip.
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Amina Diallo
Just want to add that you HAVE to keep filing your weekly claims even while in approved training. Don't skip them or you'll have issues with your benefits. Also make sure whatever school you pick is on the state's approved list or they won't pay for it.
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Omar Fawaz
I went through this process about 8 months ago and it was definitely worth it! Just to add to what others have said - when you meet with the workforce counselor, bring documentation showing trucking job openings in your area. I printed out job postings from Indeed and company websites to show there was demand. Also, the approved school list changes sometimes, so double-check that your chosen program is still on it right before you apply. The whole process took me about 3 weeks from initial meeting to approval, and I was able to keep my benefits throughout the 4-week training program. Good luck!
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GalacticGuru
I'm just starting to explore this option too after being unemployed for about 5 weeks. This whole thread has been incredibly eye-opening - I had no idea the state could potentially cover CDL training costs while you keep your benefits! Reading everyone's experiences gives me a lot more confidence about reaching out to my local One-Stop Career Center. The advice about doing your homework first really resonates with me - I'm going to spend this weekend researching approved schools and local trucking job opportunities so I can show up prepared. Has anyone found any particularly good resources for researching the local job market for CDL drivers, beyond just the usual job posting sites? I want to make sure I have a solid understanding of opportunities in my area before I have that first meeting with a counselor.
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Amara Chukwu
•For researching the local CDL job market beyond typical job sites, I'd recommend checking out the Bureau of Labor Statistics website (bls.gov) - they have detailed data on transportation jobs by metro area including growth projections and average wages. Also try contacting local trucking associations or chambers of commerce, as they often have insights into which companies are actively hiring. Don't forget to look at government jobs too - many municipal, county, and state agencies need CDL drivers for everything from road maintenance to public transit. You might also want to visit truck stops or logistics hubs in your area and just talk to drivers - they're usually pretty willing to share info about which companies treat drivers well and are actively recruiting. The more comprehensive your research, the more impressed your workforce counselor will be!
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