Two transportation pilot projects – one in New York City and the other in North Carolina – are helping people who have been formerly incarcerated enter the workforce.
The New York City Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCI) worked together with workforce development company Emerge Career in a public-private partnership to create a program that trains people who were formerly incarcerated to get a commercial driver’s license.
A serious shortage of truckers plaques the trucking industry, with an estimated current deficit of 80,000 plus drivers. This number is expected to double to about 160,000 by 2030.
MOCJ chose trucking not only because of the need but also because of the solid salaries offered by jobs in this field. The program launched in November with a cohort of 20 New Yorkers who had previous justice involvement. The original participants were recruited from the residents of MOCJ’s transitional housing units.
All participants received job offers
It was expected to take a year for the program to recruit and train them to obtain their commercial driver’s license and get a job. But it just took two months for all of the participants to earn their commercial learner’s permits. Half of them went a step further to get a commercial driver’s license. And all of them have received job offers, with an average starting salary of $80,000.
The participants were well prepared. As part of the program, they received self-paced vocational training, success coaching, wrap-around services and stipends. And because Emerge Career operates a sophisticated technology platform, the case managers at MOCJ’s partner organizations were able to refer clients and track their progress. At the same time they could offer them such wraparound services as housing, mental health support, childcare and other needed assistance.
After they finish their online training and get their commercial learner’s permit, the participants begin behind-the-wheel training at partner locations throughout New York City.
They are offered support and gain confidence through the relationship they establish with their success coach, which begins the day after they enroll in the program. These coaches support them as they go through the learning process and continue to help them as they prepare for interviews and assess job offers.
North Carolina program focuses on transportation work crews
Meanwhile, North Carolina created the N.C. Department of Transportation Transitional Work Pilot Program last year, spurred by the state’s Executive Order 303 signed by former Governor Roy Cooper. The order calls on state agencies to improve reentry services for formerly incarcerated people who were having trouble finding jobs, healthcare, housing and other services.
The program is designed to help people in reentry get jobs on transportation work crews and obtain identification cards so that they will be able to gain access to housing and healthcare.
The pilot began this spring, when the North Carolina Department of Transportation conducted its first transportation work training academy through its On-the-Job Training Program. The participants – five people recently released from prison – were enrolled in the NCDOT’S Highway Construction Trade Academies.
NCDOT employees, contractors and others spent two weeks training participants in highway construction related work. The academies use a combination of classroom and hands-on Instruction. They learned flagging and how to operate Caterpillar heavy equipment. They also learned OSHA regulation and how to write a resume and had a chance to practice mock interviews.
On completion of the program, the five participants were hired to do transportation construction work in the Raleigh area after an on-site interview. The program was deemed successful and is continuing with a second group.
Editor’s Note: Interested in exploring other trucking programs for people in reentry?
FreeWorld provides free truck driving training specifically designed for individuals with criminal histories. The organization partners with local trucking schools across multiple states, offering financial assistance and comprehensive support to help participants obtain their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and secure employment. FreeWorld’s mission focuses on creating second chances and living-wage career opportunities for returning citizens, addressing both workforce needs in the trucking industry and successful reentry into the community. See where Freeworld works.
For even more programs and resources for people in reentry who want to explore other training and employment opportunities in the trucking industry – well as guidance for organizations developing reentry programs – we encourage you to review these related articles on our website.
Commercial motor coach companies offer employment opportunities for ex-offenders
U.S. Dept. of Labor’s Women’s Bureau offers web portal for women seeking higher paying work
S.F. Bay Area philanthropist Matt Mochary sends ex-offenders to truck driving schoolSecond Chance Employer Profile: Expedited Transport Agency
