District 2 photo
The CDL Fast Track Program in District 2 has already helped eight employees earn their Class A Commercial Driver’s License.
By Haleigh Pike
District 2 public information officer
For Maintenance employees looking to take the next step in their careers, the CDL Fast Track Program is opening new doors across Caltrans District 2. Since launching in October 2025, the program has already helped eight employees earn their Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), creating new opportunities for upward mobility within the department.
The two-week course was created to assist Maintenance employees in obtaining their commercial driver’s license while meeting the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s driving school requirements. The course focuses heavily on the Department of Motor Vehicles’ pre-trip inspection and skills portions of the commercial driving examination. At the end of the second week, employees complete their DMV examination.
While the program provides the classroom instruction and guidance needed to prepare for testing, employees are still required to practice in their home yards and arrive proficient in operating Class A vehicles. This hands-on experience is especially important, as many of the vehicles and pieces of equipment used in Maintenance operations require a Class A license to operate safely and effectively.
Before the Fast Track Program was introduced in District 2, employees had to travel to Sacramento for two weeks in order to complete the training. Bringing the program locally has made the process more accessible for employees throughout the district and has already produced impressive results.
Employees who have successfully completed the program and obtained their Class A license include:
- Tisha Luna, Susanville West Crew
- Gabriel Hernandez-Ramirez, Mt. Shasta Crew, promoted to Equipment Operator following Fast Track program
- Samuel Herrera, Pulga Crew
- Craig Estlick, PI on the Mt. Shasta Crew
- Glenn McNeely, Tree/Storm Crew
- Jake Ratliff, Weaverville Crew
- Jason Golden, Redding North Crew
Among those recent graduates is Maintenance worker Jason Golden, whose path through Caltrans has already included several different assignments. Golden started with Caltrans as a service assistant Maintenance worker on the Landscape Crew before promoting to Maintenance worker with the Landscape Crew and later transferring to the Redding North Crew. Earning his Class A license is another major milestone in his career progression.
“This program gave me an opportunity to work toward something I’ve wanted for a long time,” Golden said. “Getting my Class A opens the door for me to hopefully promote to an equipment operator position in the future. It was challenging, but having the support and instruction through Fast Track made a huge difference.”
At the center of the program is trainer Michael Rychard, whose passion for helping employees succeed is immediately clear to anyone who speaks with him. Long before the Fast Track Program officially came to District 2, Rychard spent years helping Maintenance employees practice and prepare for their Class A qualifications.
“This program is about giving employees an opportunity to grow,” Rychard said. “A Class A license can completely change someone’s career path, and being able to help employees build confidence and accomplish that goal is incredibly rewarding.”
Rychard’s office walls tell the story of the program’s success. Hanging proudly are photos of each employee who has completed the program and earned their Class A license, a visual reminder of the hard work, determination and accomplishments of District 2 employees.
“Every photo on that wall represents somebody putting in the effort to better themselves and their future,” Rychard said. “I’m proud of every single one of them, and I’m excited to keep adding more photos as the program continues to grow.”
As more employees take advantage of the Fast Track Program, District 2 continues investing in the growth and development of its workforce, helping employees build new skills while strengthening the future of Maintenance operations across Northern California. Employees interested in participating in the Fast Track Program are encouraged to speak with their supervisor for more information.