The Maine Department of Labor (MDOL), in partnership with the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT), is seeking applications from public workforce system partners to provide Commercial Driver’s License training to at least 40 women.
Donor Name: Maine Department of Labor
State: Maine
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 09/26/2025
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
Through this RFA, MDOL seeks to:
- Build the pipeline of CDL holders with Class B, tanker endorsements to meet critical hiring needs in Maine’s transportation and construction sector.
- Advance Governor Mills’ Executive Order 7: An Order Regarding Women in Construction by prioritizing the recruitment of women into these CDL training programs and related careers. Women represent only 15% of workers in Maine’s construction sector today. Increasing women’s participation in the trades will strengthen Maine’s workforce and economy.
- Create stronger pathways between CDL programs and lifelong careers at MaineDOT and other employers by investing in training providers near MaineDOT offices with CDL hiring needs as well as in regions with higher demand for CDL drivers.
The intent of this grant funding is to serve at least 40 women, though that does not prevent cohorts from including other populations. The cost per participant should not exceed $6,000. Applicants are highly encouraged to leverage and braid other funding sources to increase the scale and impact of funding awarded through this grant by serving additional participants beyond the required 40 women. Priority will be given to training providers in Washington, Hancock, and Penobscot Counties.
Funding Information
The total grant funds available are $300,000, with awards ranging from $100,000 to $300,000. MDOL anticipates making one (1) to three (3) awards as a result of this RFA process.
Grant Period
The period of performance will be 12 months, beginning within three months of contract award.
Eligibility Criteria
- In order to be considered for grant funding under this application process, lead applicants must:
- Be part of Maine’s public workforce system, as defined above; and
- Be or partner with an existing provider of CDL training, with a demonstrated track record of participants successfully obtaining licensure and securing employment following completion of the training.
- Lead applicants may consider partnering with other organizations (e.g., CBOs) to apply for this funding if the partnership will enhance the applicant’s ability to deliver required activities and meet desired
For more information, visit MDOL.
