Emerge Career Blog

Articles

Harlem Study Hall: CDL permit prep on West 126th

May 27, 2026

Harlem Study Hall on 5/21 drew three students at different stages of the CDL path — including one already permitted and back to help newer students review.

CDL (Commercial Driver's License)

Brooklyn Study Hall: 9 students, 4 booked exams in Bed-Stuy

May 27, 2026

Nine justice-impacted New Yorkers showed up to our Brooklyn Study Hall at Neighbors In Action in Bed-Stuy on 5/20. Four left with CDL permit exams booked or already taken.

CDL (Commercial Driver's License)

Bronx Study Hall: CDL permit prep at Bronx HYPE in Mott Haven

May 27, 2026

Bronx Study Hall on 5/19 at Bronx HYPE in Mott Haven sent two students out with permit exams already on the calendar — a 100% booking rate from the room.

CDL (Commercial Driver's License)

Queens Study Hall: CDL permit prep in Long Island City

May 27, 2026

Three justice-impacted New Yorkers walked into Ravenswood Community Learning Center in Long Island City for free CDL permit prep on 5/19 — and one walked out with an exam booked for the next day.

Partnerships

From a Fortune Society referral to a Bartlett Dairy apprentice

May 28, 2026

Shawn Gilchrist is 25 and from the Bronx. By the time he walked into Emerge Career last December, The Fortune Society had already done the hard work before the hard work — the housing, the behavioral health, the readiness — that made everything downstream possible. Five months later, he's a CDL Driver Apprentice at Bartlett Dairy.

Partnerships

Five months from intake to a CDL career

May 28, 2026

Steven Castellanos is 42 and from Brooklyn. By the time he walked into Emerge Career last December, Housing Works had already done the hard work before the hard work — the housing, the healthcare, the readiness — that made everything downstream possible. Five months later, he's a full-time CDL B Driver at Big Geyser.

Reentry

Building the AI That Builds Second Chances

May 20, 2026

What happens when the people building AI tools for workforce development are also people who would have been served by them? A note from inside my first month as Emerge Career's RFP Lead.

CDL (Commercial Driver's License)

How Much Does CDL Training Cost? The Real Price Breakdown for 2026

May 18, 2026

CDL training costs $3,000 to $10,000 at most schools. But government-funded programs, community colleges, and company-sponsored options can cut that to zero. Here's what each path actually costs and what you give up in return.

Free Job Training Programs in NYC: What's Actually Worth Your Time

May 18, 2026

There are hundreds of free job training programs in New York City. Most can't tell you how many graduates got jobs. Here's how to sort the real ones from the rest.

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Important Disclosures

1. This is an equal opportunity program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

2. Emerge Career partners with local organizations and agencies to provide a comprehensive training program. In terms of educational curriculum, Emerge Career focuses exclusively on exam preparation. For skill-based training, we collaborate with local licensed schools.