Queens Round Two: Ravenswood

On March 10th, Emerge Career held a combined info session and study hall at the Ravenswood Community Learning Center at 35-32 21st Street in Long Island City. This was the second Queens event of the quarter and the start of a recurring presence at Ravenswood that would continue through the end of March.

The Ravenswood Community Learning Center serves residents across Western Queens, many of whom are navigating the same realities our participants face: limited job options, housing instability, and a system that wasn't built for second chances. Emerge's program was designed specifically for this population.

Info Session + Study Hall

The first half of the session was for newcomers: a presentation on how the Next Mile NYC program works, what's covered (everything — training, coaching, job placement), what's not covered (nothing — it's fully funded), and what the eligibility criteria look like. The second half shifted into study mode, with enrolled participants working through CLP prep alongside coaches.

Pizza was served. Questions were answered. And several people started their applications before leaving the building.

Long Island City as a Hub

Ravenswood became Emerge's anchor location in Queens for the rest of Q1, hosting multiple follow-up sessions in the weeks that followed. The community learning center's location — accessible by the N/W and the 7 train — made it a natural hub for participants from across Queens and even parts of the Bronx.

Apply to Emerge Career's free CDL training program.

The Bronx Gets Its Own Study Hall

On March 5th, Emerge Career held its first study hall in the Bronx at 111 Bruckner Boulevard in Mott Haven, hosted in partnership with the REM Center, Bronx HYPE, and the Family Empowerment Center. This wasn't a one-off. It was the start of a recurring weekly presence in the South Bronx that would continue throughout Q1.

Mott Haven is one of the neighborhoods in New York City where the need for real economic opportunity is most acute. Unemployment is high. Reentry services are stretched thin. And the gap between wanting to work and finding a job that pays a living wage is wide. Emerge's free CDL training program is built to close that gap.

What Happened

Participants worked through CLP exam prep modules on the Emerge Career platform, with coaches on hand to answer questions and walk through practice problems. For many attendees, this was their first exposure to the program — so the session also served as an introduction to how Emerge works, what's free, and what kind of careers are waiting on the other side.

The trucking industry needs more than 80,000 drivers — a shortage that's projected to double in five years. Companies are offering starting salaries between $75,000 and $125,000. For someone coming out of incarceration with limited job prospects, a CDL is one of the fastest paths to financial stability.

Building a Bronx Pipeline

The South Bronx became one of Emerge's most active neighborhoods this quarter, with four study halls between March and April. The partnership with Bronx HYPE and the Family Empowerment Center gave us a home base and a warm introduction to the community. Pizza was provided at every session.

Apply to Next Mile NYC — it's free, and it starts on your phone.

Reaching Queens

On February 26th, Emerge Career hosted its first study hall in Queens at the Queens Public Library. The session was focused on CLP exam preparation, bringing the same hands-on coaching model that's been working in Brooklyn and Harlem to a new borough.

Queens is one of the most diverse counties in the country and home to a significant population of justice-impacted individuals navigating reentry. Many of them are looking for the same thing: a real job that pays real money, without a degree requirement or a background check that disqualifies them on arrival.

Same Format, New Borough

The study hall ran the same way it does everywhere else. Participants logged into Emerge's online learning platform, worked through CLP practice questions, and got one-on-one help from coaches when they hit a wall. Whether it's air brake systems, vehicle inspection procedures, or just figuring out how to schedule a DMV appointment in Queens — that's what these sessions are for.

The Queens Public Library provided the space. Emerge provided the coaching, the materials, and the path forward.

Expanding the Footprint

This was a proof-of-concept session that confirmed what we already suspected: Queens needs and wants this. The borough would go on to host multiple follow-up events at the Ravenswood Community Learning Center in Long Island City throughout March. The demand was there from day one.

Interested in CDL training in Queens? Apply here.

Partnering Where Trust Already Exists

On February 25th, Emerge Career teamed up with Neighbors in Action (NIA), a community justice initiative based in Bedstuy, Brooklyn, for a combined info session and study hall at 1958 Fulton Street.

NIA works directly with justice-impacted individuals across Brooklyn. They already have the relationships, the trust, and the foot traffic. What they didn't have was a CDL training pipeline that could turn those relationships into $80K+ careers. That's where Emerge comes in.

Recruitment Meets Real Prep

This session was a hybrid: part recruitment event for people hearing about the program for the first time, part study hall for participants already enrolled and working toward their CLP. New attendees got a walkthrough of the Next Mile NYC program — what's covered, what's free, what the earning potential looks like, and what the eligibility requirements are.

Enrolled participants sat down with coaches to work through CLP practice modules. Having both groups in the same room is intentional. When someone who's skeptical about whether this program is real sees another person actively studying for their permit — that's more convincing than any pitch deck.

Community Partners Make This Work

Emerge's model depends on partnerships with organizations like NIA. We can build the best training platform in the world, but if people don't know about it — or don't trust it — none of that matters. Community-based organizations provide the credibility and the access. Emerge provides the training, the coaching, and the direct line to employers paying six figures.

Pizza was served. Applications were submitted. And a few people left that night closer to a career they hadn't imagined a week earlier.

Apply to Emerge Career's free CDL program.

CDL Prep at Grand Army Plaza

On February 20th, Emerge Career hosted a study hall at the Brooklyn Public Library's Central Branch on Grand Army Plaza. Participants gathered on the 2nd floor balcony in the Business & Career Center to prep for the Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) exam.

The Brooklyn Public Library is one of the most heavily used public institutions in the borough. Hosting a study hall here wasn't just about finding a good room — it was about meeting people in a space they already trust and use. For many of our participants, the library is already part of their routine. We just added CDL prep to the agenda.

What Happened

Participants worked through Emerge Career's online CLP prep modules, focused on the three test sections — general knowledge, air brakes, and combination vehicles. Coaches circulated the room to answer questions, review tricky concepts, and help participants build study plans for the days leading up to their exam.

Several participants used the session to schedule their CLP exam appointments at the DMV. Others were further along in the process and came to sharpen specific weak areas before test day.

Brooklyn Continues to Show Up

This was the second Brooklyn-based event of the quarter, and the energy kept building. Brooklyn has become one of Emerge's most active boroughs for community engagement, with events across Brooklyn Heights, Bedstuy, Brownsville, and now the Central Library. The demand is real — and we keep showing up to match it.

Want to join a future study hall? Sign up for Next Mile NYC and your Success Coach will connect you with the next session near you.

The CLP Exam Is the First Real Hurdle — We're Here to Clear It

On February 5th, Emerge Career hosted its first study hall of 2026 at the WeWork office on 126th Street in Harlem. The focus: getting participants ready to pass the Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) exam.

The CLP is the written test you need to pass before you can start behind-the-wheel CDL training. It covers general knowledge, air brakes, and combination vehicles. It's not impossible — but it's not something most people can walk into cold and pass on the first try. That's why we run these sessions.

How It Works

Study halls are hands-on. Participants bring their phones or laptops, log into the Emerge Career Learning Hub, and work through practice questions with a coach in the room. When someone gets stuck on air brake diagrams or pre-trip inspection sequences, they get help right there — not through a chatbot, from a person sitting next to them.

We also use these sessions to troubleshoot logistics. Scheduling a CLP exam at the DMV in New York can be its own challenge. Our team helps participants book their test dates, figure out which documents they need, and make a plan for test day.

Harlem Is Home Base

Harlem and East Harlem have become anchor neighborhoods for Emerge's community programming. The 126th Street WeWork — right off the 2/3 train at 125th — is easy to get to from across Upper Manhattan, and the space gives participants a real working environment to focus in. This was the first of what became a recurring weekly study hall in Harlem throughout Q1.

Pizza was provided. Because studying on an empty stomach doesn't work.

Ready to start your CDL journey? Apply to Next Mile NYC.

Starting the Year Where It Matters

On January 29th, Emerge Career held its first community event of 2026 at the Brooklyn Heights Library in Brooklyn. The goal was simple: meet people face-to-face, answer questions about our free CDL training program, and give New Yorkers a real look at what a career in trucking can do for them.

The turnout spoke for itself. Dozens of people filled the room — many who had heard about the program through word of mouth, others who found us online. They came with questions about eligibility, the training timeline, and what kind of money they could actually make. We came with answers, pizza, and a presentation walking through every step from sign-up to job placement.

What We Covered

The session walked attendees through how Emerge Career's Next Mile NYC program works: 40 hours of self-paced online training, a dedicated Success Coach, the Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) exam, behind-the-wheel instruction at partner schools across the five boroughs, and direct job placement with second-chance employers paying $75,000 to $125,000 a year.

We also talked about what makes this program different. There's no classroom to commute to for the first phase. The online training works on a phone. And every participant gets a 1:1 Success Coach who checks in daily — not monthly, not when there's a problem, but every single day.

Why Brooklyn

Brooklyn has one of the highest concentrations of justice-impacted individuals in New York City. Many of them are navigating probation, parole, court dates, housing instability, and family obligations — all while trying to find stable work. We chose the Brooklyn Heights Library because it's accessible, trusted, and central. And because the best way to reach people isn't through a website — it's by showing up in their neighborhood.

This meet and greet was the first of what would become a packed quarter of community events across all five boroughs. If you missed it, there are more coming. Apply to Next Mile NYC here.

WHEN: Thursday, April 16, 2026TIME: 5:00–7:30 PM ETWHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Central Branch · 10 Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, NY

What is this event?

Emerge Career and Next Mile NYC are hosting a hiring event — not a mixer, not a networking happy hour. A real, structured opportunity for trained CDL drivers to sit across from companies that are actively hiring, hand over their resume, and potentially walk away with an interview or a job offer on the spot.

Alongside the hiring tables, there will be a panel discussion on the state of CDL employment across the Northeast, community partners who are invested in workforce outcomes across New York City, and government leaders helping build the infrastructure for real economic mobility in this industry.

The Shay Legacy Foundation will also be on site with their trucking simulator and entry-level career pathway resources — a great touchpoint for anyone just breaking into trucking and logistics for the first time.

Who should come?

Drivers & Job Seekers — Bring your CDL and a printed resume. Employers will be at the tables and ready to talk. On-site interviews are on the table. Free food and drinks provided.

Employers — Meet a pipeline of trained, job-ready CDL graduates coming out of Emerge Career's Next Mile NYC program. These are candidates who have completed hands-on training, received job readiness coaching, and are ready to work.

Community & Government Partners — This is the kind of room where the work shows up in real time. Connect with the organizations and leaders driving workforce outcomes across New York City and the broader Northeast.

About Emerge Career

Emerge Career is a YC-backed workforce development platform that recruits, trains, and places individuals into CDL and skilled trades careers across New York, Massachusetts, California, and Colorado. Through the Next Mile NYC program — operated in partnership with the NYC Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice — Emerge delivers an end-to-end pipeline: recruitment, online learning, hands-on training, coaching, and direct job placement with a network of fair-chance employers. Every student gets a dedicated Success Coach. Emerge only succeeds when graduates do.

This event is the program in action.

Our partners

Co-presented with the Trucking Association of New York (TANY), the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ), and the Shay Legacy Foundation — a New York-based nonprofit dedicated to advancing career development and workforce training in the trucking industry. Learn more at shaylegacy.org.

Register now

Space is limited.👉 RSVP here

Questions? Email beto@emergecareer.com

From Pondville Correctional to the Open Road: How CDL Training Gave Wilmer a $104K Career

Most people never have to fight for the right to start over. Wilmer did. While still incarcerated at Pondville Correctional Center (MADOC) in Massachusetts, he enrolled in Emerge Career's CDL training program—not because the path was clear, but because standing still wasn't an option. His story is proof that when justice-impacted individuals get real opportunity and real support, they don't just survive reentry. They build careers.

The Challenge: Starting a Career From Behind the Wall

Wilmer didn't have the luxury of waiting until everything lined up. He was unemployed, incarcerated, and facing the same impossible math that traps thousands of returning citizens: no job history, no credentials, and a system designed to say no.

Then his parole officer raised a concern—progressing too far in the CDL program before release could complicate his reentry. For many people, that conversation would have been the end. It's the kind of institutional friction that quietly kills momentum before it ever builds.

But Wilmer's Emerge Career coach walked him through the realistic next steps. No sugarcoating. No promises. Just a clear-eyed look at what was ahead and what was possible. Wilmer made his choice: keep going.

The Turning Point: Passing the CDL Exam on the First Try

Wilmer didn't need a second attempt. He passed his Commercial Driver's License (CDL) exam on the first try—a milestone that separates those who prepare from those who hope. The credential opened a door, but walking through it was a different fight entirely.

What followed was the part nobody romanticizes: the job search. Companies turned him down. Drug tests delayed offers. The doubt his parole officer had planted months earlier still echoed. Wilmer kept applying. He kept talking to his coach. He kept pushing through the waiting periods that test patience more than any exam ever could.

The Breakthrough: $104,000 With Dutch Maid Logistics

By October 2024—before his December release date—Dutch Maid Logistics called with an offer. Today, Wilmer works as a Reefer Regional Truck Driver in Massachusetts, earning up to $104,000 in his first year.

That number represents more than a paycheck:

• Financial stability that breaks the cycle of poverty and recidivism
• A professional credential that opens doors across the transportation industry
• Regional routes that keep him close to home and community
• A career trajectory with room to grow, not just a job to survive on

What Made the Difference: Training, Coaching, and Refusal to Quit

Wilmer's success wasn't luck. Several factors converged:

1. Starting While Still Incarcerated
By enrolling in Emerge Career's CDL program before release, Wilmer used his time strategically. He didn't wait for the world to be ready for him—he got ready for the world.

2. Ongoing Career Coaching
His Emerge Career coach provided:

• Honest conversations about obstacles—including the parole officer's concerns
• Job search strategy and application support through months of rejection
• Consistent follow-up that kept momentum alive when motivation ran thin

3. Unshakable Personal Determination
Wilmer treated every setback as a delay, not a destination. When companies said no, he applied to the next one. When the process dragged, he stayed in the fight.

Why This Matters: Reentry Done Right

Wilmer's story challenges a broken narrative: that people with criminal records are too risky, too unreliable, too far gone. He earned his CDL behind the wall, secured a six-figure career before his release date, and now drives the same Massachusetts highways he once thought were out of reach.

Justice-impacted individuals don't need a second chance. They need real opportunity and someone who believes they'll take it.

Wilmer took it.

💪 Ready to start your own journey? Apply today to learn how we can help you take the next step.

‍

Presenting the new Emerge Career Ambassador Program

Earn up to $150 per person by helping others launch their trucking careers

We're excited to introduce an opportunity for you to earn extra income while making a real difference in your community!

What Does It Take to Be an Emerge Career Ambassador?

We're looking for motivated, connected individuals who are passionate about helping others access life-changing career opportunities. Whether you're a current student, graduate, or someone who believes in second chances, if you can spread the word about Emerge Career's CDL training program, you can be an ambassador!

How It Works

You'll receive a unique invitation link that you can share with friends, family, and anyone interested in starting a career in trucking. Here's how you earn:

$25 when someone signs up using your link and completes the first 5 videos in our training course

$125 when that person obtains their Class A Commercial Learner's Permit and meets program eligibility requirements

That's $150 total per eligible person!

We'll also provide you with promotional materials and guidance on how to effectively share your unique link with your network.

Ready to Get Started?

Apply to become an Ambassador here

Once approved, you'll receive an email with your unique invitation link. This link is yours to keep—it never expires and can be used indefinitely into the future!

Terms and Conditions

We want to keep things simple and transparent. Here are the key points:

• No minimum required! Only signed up 2 eligible people this month? That's perfectly fine—you'll still earn cash as long as they complete the first 5 videos.
• No maximum limit! If you can sign up 100 new Emerge Career students who obtain their permits, that's $15,000 paid by the end of the month.
• Payment is made through digital gift cards that work with Apple Pay and Google Pay:
  • How to use digital gift cards on Apple Pay
  • How to use digital gift cards on Google Pay
• Your invitation link is uniquely assigned to you and never expires.
• Emerge Career reserves the right to remove ambassadors from the program at any stage, with or without warning.
• Any ambassador caught fraudulently claiming signups (e.g., duplicate accounts) will be expelled immediately and banned from the Emerge Career platform.
• All ambassadors are responsible for ensuring phone numbers provided are accurate and up to date.

Learn More

Want to know more about what you'll be promoting?

• CDL Training Program Overview
• Program Eligibility Requirements

Ready to start earning while helping others transform their lives? Become an Emerge Career Ambassador today!

‍

From Incarceration to Warehouse Work to City Career: How CDL Training Changed Everything for Jonathan

Finding stable employment after incarceration isn't just difficult—it's a cycle many people struggle to break. Jonathan's story shows how CDL training programs and persistent job search support can transform lives, even when traditional employment doors stay closed.

The Challenge: Breaking Through Employment Barriers

Jonathan came to Emerge Career & Next Mile NYC facing obstacles familiar to many with criminal backgrounds: limited job opportunities, "experience required" postings, and the urgent need to provide for his family. The uncertainty of finding stable work created enormous pressure, but Jonathan refused to give up.

The Turning Point: CDL Certification in New York

When Jonathan earned his Commercial Driver's License (CDL) in New York, his career trajectory shifted dramatically. The credential opened his first door: a position at Flying Food Group with the NY Port Authority.

While this wasn't his dream job, Jonathan understood its value. For three months, he:

• Showed up consistently and performed reliably
• Built his employment record and references
• Continued his job search with support from his career coach, Beto
• Attended hiring events and networked actively

The Breakthrough: NYC Department of Transportation Position

Jonathan's persistence paid off when he secured a position as Assistant City Highway Repairer with the New York Department of Transportation, earning a significant increase from his starting wage.

This government position offers more than better pay:

• Job stability and security with a municipal employer
• Full benefits package including health insurance
• Career advancement opportunities within city government
• Union protection and workplace rights

What Made the Difference: Job Training and Career Support

Jonathan's success wasn't accidental. Several factors contributed:

1. Professional CDL Training

‍Quality vocational training provided the credential employers recognize and value, particularly in transportation and logistics sectors where demand remains high.

2. Ongoing Career Coaching

‍Beto and the Emerge Career team provided:

• Regular job search strategy sessions
• Resume and interview preparation
• Emotional support during rejection periods
• Connections to hiring events and opportunities

3. Personal Determination

‍Jonathan treated every opportunity seriously, maintained consistency, and refused to settle for less than he deserved.

Why This Matters: Breaking the Reentry Employment Cycle

Jonathan's journey illustrates a crucial truth: people with criminal backgrounds can build successful careers when given proper training, support, and opportunity. His story challenges the narrative that past mistakes define future potential.

For others facing similar barriers, Jonathan's path offers a roadmap:

• Invest in recognized credentials like CDL licenses
• Accept entry-level positions as stepping stones, not destinations
• Stay connected to career support services
• Maintain consistency even through rejection
• Keep applying for better opportunities

The Road Ahead: A Future Worth Fighting For

Jonathan now has what many take for granted: stable employment with fair wages, benefits, and dignity. His new position allows him to support his family while building toward long-term security.

But this is just the beginning. With his foot in the door at a major city agency, Jonathan has access to advancement opportunities, additional training, and a career path that rewards commitment and hard work.

His story proves that with the right training, persistent support, and unwavering determination, anyone can break free from the cycles that once trapped them and build a future worth fighting for.

💪 Ready to start your own journey? Apply today to learn how we can help you take the next step.

How Emerge Career's CDL Training Program Works

Step 1: Application & Eligibility Check

Start by filling out our online application. We'll ask questions to see if you qualify for our government-funded program. Our application is continuously improving as we learn more about what helps students succeed in the CDL industry. After completing the application, you’ll hear back in a day (often within seconds) whether you can move forward. Our (non-exhaustive) eligibility requirements are listed here.

Note: While we try to make our application as comprehensive as possible, sometimes we miss stuff! We do a background check and driving record review later in the process to confirm your information.

Our eligibility requirements are constantly evolving as the world around us changes. We update our criteria based on:

• Funding changes – New government grants or shifts in program funding may affect who we can serve
• Employment and labor market data – As trucking industry hiring standards shift, we adjust our requirements to ensure you have real job prospects after training
• Compliance updates – DOT regulations and insurance requirements change regularly, which can impact eligibility

If something comes up during your enrollment process that affects your eligibility—whether it's new information from your background check or a change in our program requirements—we'll let you know as soon as possible and work with you to understand your options.

Step 2: Online Permit Prep Training

Once you're approved, you'll start our online training course. This includes 21 videos to prepare you for your commercial learner's permit (CLP) exam, plus over 100 practice quizzes to help you study and feel confident as you work towards getting your CLP.

Step 3: Get Your Commercial Learner's Permit

After finishing the online training, you'll need to get two things: your Class A Commercial Learner's Permit and your DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate. You need both of these before you can legally drive a commercial truck, and we’ll coach you on how to get them!

Step 4: Enrollment Interview

Once you've uploaded a photo of your permit to your profile, we'll schedule you for a virtual Enrollment Interview. This is where we get to know you and figure out if our program is a good fit. On this call, we'll:

• Confirm your eligibility for the program (income, criminal background, driving record, justice-involvement)
• Ask about marijuana use—you'll be randomly drug tested throughout the program and will need to be testing negative at the time of enrollment
• Confirm that you can make trucking school work
• Learn about your financial situation
• Talk about how you'll get to and from training
• Discuss your current job and schedule flexibility
• Your commitment and reasons for wanting to become a truck driver

Treat this like any job interview. Be professional, come prepared, and be honest about your situation.

Note on employment barriers: During this process, we conduct a background check and driving record review (7-year lookback). If anything comes up that wasn't caught in the initial application—like certain criminal history or driving violations—we may ask you to secure a pre-hire offer letter before enrolling in trucking school. This ensures you have a job waiting for you after training, rather than investing time and money only to face barriers later.

We reserve the right to decline participation from individuals who don't meet our requirements or follow program guidelines—all of which are detailed in our Terms of Service. We evaluate candidates across these areas:

What we look for:

• Professionalism & Conduct – We're looking for students who are respectful, reliable, and serious about building a career. You'll need to demonstrate professional behavior and the ability to work well with instructors, peers, and future employers.
• Employability – We partner with industry employers, trucking associations, and compliance experts to assess whether you have the foundational soft skills and background needed to secure employment after training. This helps us match participants with realistic job prospects.
• Employment Commitment – Our program prioritizes immediate employment in your trained field. While we support continued learning, your primary goal should be securing work related to your credential. This is a one-time training opportunity, and we want to invest in participants genuinely committed to working.
• Training Readiness – You'll need to manage a demanding schedule and have reliable transportation to complete the program. We need to know you can commit to attendance and stay on track.
• Coachability – This is an accelerated program led by experienced professionals who've refined best practices working with hundreds of participants nationwide. We expect you to follow our program structure and be open to feedback. If you believe you're above the process or don't need to follow our guidelines, this program isn't the right fit. We're looking for participants who are genuinely committed to learning, not those who think they can opt out of key components because they work differently.

Step 5: Enrolling in Trucking School

Once you're approved, there are a few final steps:

Yard Readiness Assessment – A 30-minute call where you'll recall key parts of the pre-trip inspection process from memory. We'll send you study materials beforehand, including:

• Audio guides/podcasts you can listen to anytime
• Interactive flashcards
• Memorization games

You get 3 attempts to pass (no-shows count as attempts), and you need to pass before starting school. While most students pass on either the first or second attempt, failure to pass all 3 attempts will result in removal from the program.

Why this assessment matters: After working with hundreds of students across the country, we've learned that memorization is the #1 reason people struggle to get their CDL at trucking school. The pre-trip inspection requires you to recall specific details on the spot—there's no cheat sheet when you're testing. This assessment helps you build strong memorization habits early, sets you up to get the most out of your time at our partner school, and gives us confidence that you're ready for the demands of CDL training.

Don't worry – we'll give you everything you need to study and succeed.

Turning in documents – Because we're government-funded, we need copies of your Social Security card, driver's license, proof you can legally work in the US, and proof of your income. We may request additional documentation based on your specific situation.

Important: You have two weeks from getting your permit to complete these steps. If you don't complete them in time, we may put you on hold so we can work with students who are ready to go.

Step 6: Training at Our Partner Schools

This is the hands-on part. You'll complete your required driving hours at one of our partner trucking schools, working toward your Class A CDL. We've carefully vetted each of our partner schools to ensure they meet our quality standards and can provide the training you need to succeed.

Throughout your training, your assigned coach will check in with you 2-3 times to see how things are going and help troubleshoot any issues before they become bigger problems.

Showing up matters—a lot. "On time" means arriving 10-15 minutes early—the same standard employers will expect from you as a professional driver. 

Unexcused absences or repeated tardiness will result in removal from the program. If you miss training or show up late, you must communicate with your coach immediately and provide documentation for excused absences (medical appointments, family emergencies, etc.). One unexcused absence or repeated lateness is enough for removal.

This isn't about being strict for no reason. We have limited resources and need to focus on students who show up on time, communicate well, and act professionally—the same things employers will expect from you as a truck driver. Professional drivers are responsible for expensive equipment and tight delivery schedules. Building these habits now is essential to your success in the industry.

Step 7: Help Finding a Job

We'll support you in finding your first driving job. Here's what that looks like:

• Connecting you with companies we partner with and making personal introductions to hiring managers—you're not just applying online
• Helping you build a strong resume using our resume builder tool
• Creating and optimizing your job search profiles on job boards to increase your visibility to employers
• Providing you with talking points for discussing any employment barriers in interviews
• Sending your resume directly to hiring companies

Important to know: While we carefully screen everyone and prepare you well, we can't guarantee you'll get hired in a timely manner. Companies change their hiring rules often, and they make the final decision—not us. What we can promise is to not give up on you if getting hired proves to be more difficult than anticipated.

Step 8: After You Get Hired

We stay connected even after you land a job. Once you're hired, we'll ask you to tell us where you're working and share some official paperwork. This stays private and is never posted anywhere—we only use it to show that our program works, which helps us keep getting funding to help more students like you.

Your Journey at a Glance

1. Apply – Fill out our application and find out if you're eligible
2. Study – Complete 21 videos and 100+ practice quizzes online
3. Get Your Permit – Obtain your CLP and DOT Medical Certificate
4. Interview – Meet with us to confirm fit and readiness
5. Enroll – Pass the Yard Readiness Assessment and submit documents
6. Train – Complete hands-on driving hours at a partner school
7. Get Hired – Receive job placement support and connect with employers
8. Stay Connected – Share employment info to help us keep the program running

Ready to start? If you're serious about a trucking career and willing to put in the work, we're here to help you every step of the way. When you succeed, we succeed—and we're committed to being honest partners as you work toward becoming a professional CDL driver.

If you have any questions about our CDL program or other vocational program offerings, please email support@emergecareer.com.

Read about our eligibility guidelines here.