Zehr’s Flowers and Landscaping, a family-owned business in Lowville, New York recently made an investment in its workforce by enrolling seven employees in Jefferson Community College’s (JCC) CDL Class A training. Zehr’s committed over $63,000 to the initiative, reinforcing its dedication to employee development and business growth.
Samantha Widrick, CEO of Zehr’s, emphasizes the importance of workforce investment: "It is very important to invest in your employees because they are your 'team!' They are the face of a business, and they need to feel invested in to keep their inspiration going strong for the company.”
Having more CDL-certified drivers will greatly benefit Zehr’s operations.
“Zehr's will benefit from having more CDL drivers because it will put our scheduling department at ease,” Widrick explains. “Scheduling with a small CDL list is difficult when certain vehicles can only be driven by a few employees. This will open our schedule to accommodate more jobs and ultimately make more profit off these jobs.”
JCC’s CDL Class A training, offered in partnership with The CDL Schools, took place at the Lewis County JCC Education Center in Lowville. The intensive, 192-hour program ran Monday through Friday from Feb. 3 to Feb. 28, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The curriculum covered essential training to meet Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements, including classroom instruction, lab work, learning management system instruction, ELDT theory certification, commercial learner’s permit preparation, behind-the-wheel vehicle training, and proficiency requirements for the Class A CDL skills test. Training on a manual transmission vehicle and test scheduling were also included.
Joanna Brislan, director of Community Services at JCC, highlights the significance of the program: “This partnership enables Jefferson to offer high-quality, federally compliant CDL Class A training, preparing students for success. By providing this program locally, we create opportunities for individuals and support employers investing in their workforce—strengthening operations, improving efficiency, and boosting business success."
Widrick appreciates JCC’s flexibility in meeting her team’s scheduling needs: “JCC was very accommodating when I called and inquired about a CDL class for my employees. There was not a class date that suited my employees' work schedule, and I asked for specific time frames, and they were quick to accommodate! It took just a few phone calls, and everything was in order for my employees to start school.”
JCC President Daniel J. Dupee, II, says, "At Jefferson Community College, we are committed to strengthening our local workforce by providing high-quality training and facilitating accessible funding opportunities for individuals seeking to enhance their skills. Zehr’s Landscaping’s investment in employee development through our CDL Class A program exemplifies the kind of employer partnership that drives economic growth and workforce sustainability in our region. We applaud their dedication to investing in local talent and encourage other businesses to take advantage of the resources available at JCC to build a stronger, more skilled workforce."
With a passion for working outdoors and with his hands, five-year Zehr’s employee Joshua Chisholm appreciates the company’s investment in its team. “It’s nice because she trusts us and believes in us, and it’s a chance to grow the business and all of us together,” he says. “Hopefully, we can build at Zehr’s, continue to grow there, and see where it takes us. They are a very fast-growing business—a lot has changed since I started.”
Reflecting on the CDL training, Chisholm adds, “The class is worth it. I had a little bit of experience beforehand, but it teaches you all the ins and outs of what you’re going to experience on the road, ways to handle situations, and how to become a better driver — especially since it’s a much larger rig.”
