Through the Northwest Regional ESD Youth CDL Pilot Program, a group of 10 graduates finished their truck driver training.
A Youth CDL Pilot Program from the Northwest Regional ESD, in partnership with Elite Truck School in Hillsboro, puts Generation Z behind the wheel of a Class A career.
Elite Truck School has been a fantastic partner, and we are excited to expand beyond Washington County to Columbia County in the 2026-27 school year so that more students can earn their Class-A CDL”— Jamie Brady, School Performance & Workforce Development, NWRESDHILLSBORO, OR, UNITED STATES, August 27, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — While a large number of their peers are preparing for university, ten recent high school graduates from Washington County are climbing into the driver's seat of a semi-truck. Hailing from schools across the county, these students are now midway through practical skills instruction at Elite Truck School in Hillsboro, Oregon, the final stage of a two-month program that has given each of them a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) and set them on a path to earning a Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL).
Members of this cohort come from Aloha High School, Banks High School, Beaverton High School, Forest Grove High School, Glencoe High School, Mountainside High School, and Sherwood High School. The following individuals have graduated and either obtained or are currently undergoing testing for their Class A CDL.
Daniel Cruz
Lezlye Rosas Florida
Mateo Salcedo Hernandez
Brayden Hamel
Oscar Sanchez
Jackson King
Samuel Stewart
Aaron Jones
Walter Dahme
Caius Dehaart
Organized by the Northwest Regional Education Service District (NWRESD), this Youth CDL Pilot initiative identified, vetted, and backed the student group. After finishing classroom work and securing their CLPs, the students moved to Elite Truck School on July 13th for an intensive three-week skills curriculum: maneuvering in the yard and backing up, on-road driving, preparing for pre-trip inspections, and final CDL exams starting July 27th. In Oregon, first-year CDL drivers can anticipate wages between $50,000 and $75,000, with no four-year degree or student loan debt required.
On Thursday, July 23rd, Elite Truck School held a Career Fair designed exclusively for this graduating group. Trucking firms, utility companies, and other local employers have already confirmed their attendance, many ready to pre-hire and evaluate the graduates before they even receive their official licenses. This career fair highlights the pressing need for qualified CDL drivers throughout the Pacific Northwest.
“We couldn’t be prouder of what these students have accomplished in such a short period of time. The partnership with NWRESD has been outstanding. They did the hard work of finding and preparing the right students, and we’re delivering the training that will launch their careers,” said Tyler Reisnaur, Co-Owner and General Manager, Elite Truck School.
"The CDL program helped me open my eyes to all the different opportunities that the trucking industry offers. It was cool to see and have business come into the school looking for students to hire right off the bat when they graduate. I also loved how it wasn’t just something that you could go in and get; you actually had to want it show up every day and work hard for it! This CDL program allowed me to secure a Job at Stadelman Valley Farms 2 months before I even had my CDL. And it’s really awesome because I can take it anywhere I go and always find work. So in conclusion, it’s an amazing thing to have if you want it as a career or even just a backup," shared one of the graduates.
"This program has been over two years in the making in collaboration with Washington County Superintendents. Our team worked closely with the Oregon Employment Department and NWRESD Data Analysts to identify Commercial Driving careers as high demand and high wage in the Portland metro. This opportunity is not frequently offered to high school students, and NWRESD was excited to create a regional industry credential that could support students in transitioning from high school to a living wage career with a wide variety of job opportunities. Elite Truck School has been a fantastic partner, and we are excited to expand beyond Washington County to Columbia County in the 2026-27 school year so that more students can earn their Class-A Commercial Driver's License,” said Jamie Brady, School Performance & Workforce Development, Northwest Regional Education Service District (NWRESD).
The Youth CDL Pilot Program is part of a wider effort by NWRESD to link Washington County students with industry-recognized credentials and career routes in high-demand fields. Elite Truck School, a professional CDL training provider located in Hillsboro, supplies the yard, road training, and testing environment that moves students from permit to license. A newly released video featuring the student cohort can be seen at https://elitetruckschool.com/blog/washington-county-hs-grads/.
About Elite Truck School
In 2003, after a long and successful career as a professional driver, Elite Founder Greg Reisnaur saw a need for better-trained truck driving professionals in the Portland area. To meet this demand, he built a business to begin offering truck driving courses that delivered a high standard of training, all while remaining affordable and convenient for students. Today, Elite Truck School provides Class A and Class B CDL training and is WIOA and VA approved, with campuses serving communities across Oregon. For more information, visit https://elitetruckschool.com/
About Northwest Regional Education Service District (NWRESD)
The Northwest Regional Education Service District serves school districts across Washington County, Oregon, providing specialized programs, services, and support to help all students succeed. NWRESD’s Industry-Recognized Credentials initiative connects students with career pathways in high-demand industries. For more information, visit www.nwresd.org.
Tyler Reisnaur
Elite Truck School
+1 503-744-5259
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