Pictured left to right are Ika Grant, Lenoir Community College Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Career Advisor, Shawn Cooper, LCC graduate, Karen Lombardi, LCC Truck Driver Training Instructor, and Prudencio Martinez, LCC Workforce Development Coordinator.

What seemed like one roadblock after another, Shawn Cooper of Kinston was determined to complete his educational goals at Lenoir Community College. He just needed a little motivation to stay on track.

The 26-year-old was unemployed when he connected with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Program, but he soon found a part-time job to work around his school schedule. He had enrolled in the LCC High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) Program and was interested in truck driving.

Cooper knew he could cover the cost for his CDL permit and other needed documentation, but he needed assistance for the Truck Driver Program. That need brought him to WIOA where he received full assistance for the program.

With a part-time job, online courses for his HSED, working on his Career Readiness Certificate (CRC), and truck driver training courses, Cooper had his hands full. His truck driver training classes were Monday through Friday and he was doing well in all his classes.

He had mastered his pre-trip inspection and backing the truck, but he said, “I was a little nervous driving over the road and passing the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) test.”

WIOA Career Advisor Ika Grant encouraged him and assured him that he wouldn’t be scheduled to drive until his instructor thought he was ready.

Cooper took that time to prioritize his goals. “I wanted to focus more on getting my high school equivalency diploma and then pursue my CRC,” he said. 

Grant said Cooper studied daily, but there always seemed to be another challenge. While working on his HSED, there was a pause in the Truck Driver Training Program due to unforeseen circumstances. Not to be discouraged, Cooper decided to put his efforts in studying for the CRC. Grant said the WIOA program requires a silver certificate, but Cooper said he was going for the gold.

While pursuing his goals, he changed jobs to get more hours to help make ends meet. In March, he resumed the Truck Driver Training Program and with eight days left to complete, he decided to drop out. But Grant wouldn’t give up on him and directed Cooper back to the classroom where his instructor allowed him to continue the program.

“My nerves got the best of me, and I needed an income to support myself,” Cooper said. “The delay in the course caused me some financial issues because I was anticipating working as a truck driver at that point,” he said. “I just wasn’t confident in driving the truck and felt I didn’t have enough driving practice to pass the DMV driving test.”

On March 30, Cooper successfully completed and earned his HSED and two days later, he completed the Truck Driver Training Program. He also passed the CRC exam and scored a gold certificate. On April 26, he passed the driving test and earned his CDL completing all the goals he had set for himself. He found employment driving a truck locally.

“Shawn was a very dedicated student,” said Truck Driver Training Instructor Karen Lombardi. “He was determined to learn and was never afraid to ask questions. The motivation and skill he showed during class was amazing and I know he will go far in his trucking career.”

Cooper said he is very appreciative of the WIOA Program and for everyone who encouraged him to pursue his goals. “This experience has opened my eyes to see when things get challenging, I can do it. It’s the program that changed my life unexpectedly,” he said. “When I think of it, Mrs. Grant has helped me by pushing me to get done what I needed in my life and in the future. I was not aware at some points what completing these things would do but she was. I am so grateful for her. From my experience, I would definitely recommend the WIOA Program.”