Worcester, MA — The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and Emerge Career [www.emergecareer.com], a national leader in workforce development for individuals directly or indirectly involved in the criminal justice system, are proud to announce a new partnership to provide Free, High-Demand Training in Diesel Technician and HVAC Technician Careers to qualifying residents across the county. These fast-growing vocations offer starting salaries averaging $75,000, creating direct pathways to economic mobility for participants and their families. Student eligibility includes individuals who have experienced arrest, probation, parole, or incarceration, as well as those with an immediate family member who has gone through these experiences.
This initiative expands on a successful multi-year collaboration between the Sheriff’s Office and Emerge Career through their Free CDL Training Program, which has become one of the most effective reentry workforce pipelines in the region. Over the past year alone, Emerge Career graduates in Worcester County have earned an average of $83,000, all while maintaining an extraordinary 0% recidivism rate among program graduates.
“Emerge Career is bringing real solutions to an often-overlooked population,” said Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis. “This partnership is about dignity, opportunity, and second chances. When individuals leave our facilities with job-ready skills and employers ready to hire them, our communities become safer and stronger.”
Through this expanded partnership, individuals in the county will now have access to:
- Free Diesel Technician Training (new)
- Free HVAC Technician Training (new)
- Free CDL Training (continuing program)
Each program includes employer-aligned curriculum, nationally recognized certifications, and job placement support to ensure graduates seamlessly transition into high-wage, high-growth careers.
How to Enroll
- Apply for Free CDL Training Here [https://www.app.emergecareer.com/register?utm_source=sheriffs_office-out-of-custody&utm_medium=press-release&utm_campaign=donnelly&utm_term=nov2025&utm_content=no-incentive]
- Apply for Free Diesel Tech & HVAC Tech Training Here [https://form.jotform.com/253055956415158?utm_source=sheriffs_office-out-of-custody&utm_medium=press-release&utm_campaign=ma-new-vocations-launch-2025&utm_term=nov2025&utm_content=no-incentive]
“Our goal has always been simple,” said Tyler Brewer from Emerge Career. “Provide training that leads directly to real jobs with real wages. Worcester County continues to show what’s possible when reentry is focused on evidence-based opportunity.”
This partnership underscores both organizations’ shared commitment to reducing recidivism, strengthening families, and empowering individuals with the skills needed to build stable, successful futures.
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Aerial view of the Worcester County Jail and House of Correction
