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Bridging Barriers to Employment in the Bay Area
In a powerful step toward economic equity and reentry success, Goodwill of San Francisco Bay has partnered with Emerge Career to launch a pilot program offering Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training and job placement services for justice-involved individuals in Bay Area Counties. This innovative partnership marks a critical investment in second chances, workforce development, and scalable reentry solutions.
Why CDL Training?
With a nationwide shortage of commercial truck drivers and an urgent need for sustainable job opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals, CDL training has emerged as a strategic entry point. CDL jobs offer:
- Starting wages of up to $80,000/year
- Widespread employer demand
- Low barriers to entry for justice-involved individuals
- Pathways to long-term stability and independence
For many, a CDL isn't just a credential — it's a career that restores dignity, financial freedom, and family stability.
What the Emerge Career + GoodwillSF Program Offers
Under the terms of the pilot agreement, Emerge Career delivers a tech-enabled, end-to-end CDL A training and employment program tailored for justice involved individuals. The program includes:
- DOT-compliant physical evaluations
- ELDT-certified online training platform
- DMV permit testing and road test preparation
- Behind-the-wheel instruction
- Dedicated success coaches for each student
- Five chances to pass the DMV CLP test
- Job placement support post-licensure up to a year
This comprehensive model ensures that participants not only get trained — they get hired.
“This program isn’t just about getting a license. It’s about rebuilding. It’s about stability, dignity, and supporting my family,” shared a graduate in a related Emerge program.
Tech-First Workforce Development
Emerge Career’s model stands out by leveraging a proprietary digital platform that streamlines the entire training and employment lifecycle while leveraging cutting edge AI. Participants can:
- Access virtual lessons from anywhere
- Track progress and test scores
- Communicate directly with coaches
- Get matched with local employers
This digital-first approach removes traditional bottlenecks, especially for those navigating reentry, housing, or transportation instability.
A Pathway to Equity and Opportunity
This partnership isn’t just a training course — it’s a model for what’s possible when reentry support, workforce development, and employer alignment come together with purpose.
According to recent program outcomes:
- 91% of students graduated with CDL credentials
- 100% have been placed in full-time jobs within 180 days
- $83,284/year in average earnings right out of the gate
Looking Ahead
The Emerge Career and Goodwill SF collaboration demonstrates that targeted, outcomes-based training can transform lives and communities. With success in the Bay Area, this model has the potential to expand — offering thousands more the opportunity to drive toward a better future. Further cohorts could include Emerge Career's full suite of vocations spanning industries such as Fiber Tech, Clean Energy, and Construction
Interested in bringing in-demnad voacational workforce development to your organization or state?
Contact us to learn more.
