Shylynn came to CareerForce in Duluth in May 2024 looking for employment that paid well and allowed opportunities for career growth. Alex Arend from Leading CareerForce Partner Duluth Workforce Development worked with Shylynn to identify her career goals and determine if she was eligible for training to prepare her to achieve those goals. The Drive for 5-funded Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training program through Duluth Workforce Development was the perfect match.
“My whole life I have wanted to have my CDL and drive a truck,” said Shylynn. “I lost some of that ability in my struggles with substance use but through recovery, hard work and support I was able to get back to what I have always loved to do! I knew that having my CDL would open doors for me and set me up for the future. Now I am five years in recovery, have my CDL and working a job that I love!!”
“Shylynn was a pleasure to work with and it was great to see how motivated she was from the start,” said Alex. “She knew exactly where she wanted to get to and did so very shortly after finishing her training.”
Shylynn graduated from training at Lake Superior College, a Duluth Workforce Development Drive for 5 partner, and earned her CDL on October 4, 2024. She was hired by Waste Management and started work on October 28, driving a residential route.
“The training was hard but worth it. The training helped me feel ready for what I needed to do in order to earn my Class B CDL and get my job with Waste Management,” said Shylynn. “I am so grateful for the funding that I received in order to chase my dreams and make a better life for myself and my family. The incentives and the check-ins from Alex were great and kept me on track.”
- Find out more about Leading CareerForce Partner Duluth Workforce Development
- Contact staff at a CareerForce location near you to learn about free training programs you might be able to access to prepare for in-demand employment
