Academy Partners With Augusta on CDL Training
The American Transportation Academy in Chelsea has joined Augusta Adult and Community Education to expand commercial driver license training in Maine.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Adult Education
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The American Transportation Academy, based in Chelsea, Kennebec County, has partnered with Augusta Adult and Community Education to expand commercial driver license training. The academy launched two months before the collaboration was announced.
Why it matters
Maine's Labor and Transportation departments have identified commercial driving as an in-demand occupation, and the partnership aims to strengthen the state's pipeline of qualified commercial drivers. Prospective students gain access to academic preparation and career guidance alongside technical training.
The academy offers a six-week program combining classroom instruction, behind-the-wheel experience, and practical skills development. A Class A license allows operation of combination vehicles such as tractor-trailers, and entry-level training standards are set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
The players
Trisha and Toby Watson
The Watsons founded the American Transportation Academy and own Statewide Towing Inc. in Chelsea, Maine.
Augusta Adult and Community Education
The Augusta-based adult education provider supports students with academic preparation, career guidance, and financial resource identification.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The federal agency sets the entry-level driver training requirements that commercial driver programs must meet.
The details
Augusta Adult and Community Education will help prospective students with academic preparation, career guidance, and identifying financial resources, with workforce coordinator Kelli Gilzow Stowell guiding individuals through training preparation. The academy was established by Trisha and Toby Watson, owners of Statewide Towing Inc. in Chelsea, using a mix of private funds and a business loan.
Timeline
Two months before the announcement: American Transportation Academy launched in Chelsea.
Earlier this year: Maine Labor and Transportation departments cited commercial driving as in-demand.
Adult Education Pathways
Federal entry-level driver training requirements from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration shape how private CDL schools like the American Transportation Academy structure their programs. Partnerships with adult education providers such as Augusta Adult and Community Education extend these short training pathways to working adults seeking career changes in Maine.
Maine residents interested in a commercial driving career can pursue the academy's six-week program, which combines classroom instruction with behind-the-wheel training. Augusta Adult and Community Education can help prospective students prepare academically and identify funding options before enrolling.
The takeaway
Adults considering a career change into commercial driving can contact an adult education provider early to check academic preparation needs and funding options before starting a short training program.
Further reading
Explore more on Adult Education in Maine.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mainebiz.
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