Roderic Gatewood Sr., at the age of 43, lives in Mounds, IL, and worked at the City of Mounds as a municipal water maintenance worker. He worked 55-60 hours a week and did not have time or opportunity to get a CDL. The opportunity and time finally presented itself, so he applied and was approved for the WIOA Program. He completed the Truck Driving Program at Shawnee Community College in the Fall 2022 semester. In achieving his occupational goal of being a Truck Driver, he can now focus on obtaining full-time permanent employment at a self-sufficient wage. Roderic stated that being in the WIOA Program helped him focus on school and not worry about finances. He says that it is a fantastic program. The program leaves you with no excuse for not attending college and learning a trade or acquiring a degree.
Two months after completing this program, Roderic was hired to drive a truck for Mounds Oil-Dri Production Company. Roderic says, “I have enjoyed every day since, and I work with a great group of people in a great atmosphere. I haul clay from the ODC clay mine to the production plant in Mounds. It’s a very safe environment, and I am constantly learning daily. I love this job!”
Roderic had been drawing unemployment, but now, he can support himself better due to receiving a good-paying job. Roderic says, “I have a good career because of the WIOA Program. I am grateful Shawnee College offers such a program and several other trade profession courses, i.e., welding, HVAC, and many more. I hope the different programs continue to be available for the public benefit of the surrounding counties. Thanks to Mr. Victor Duckworth and Ms. Sandy of Shawnee Development in Karnak for all their assistance, Mrs. Leslie Weldon, Jaqueline Smith, and Mr. Kelly Jennings of Shawnee College!”
