The Albuquerque Job Corps Center recently sent 6 graduates to Buckeye, Arizona after accepting jobs with Fluor construction project for Arlington Valley Solar Energy II (AVSE II). The AVSE II project is located on 1,160 acres of land in Maricopa County, Arizona. The project is slated to be operational by 2013 and will become a 125- megawatt solar photovoltaic (PV) generating facility.  It will help meet the regional needs for renewable energy while reducing dependence on fossil fuels. This project makes Fluor a leader in the construction and solar power engineering industry paving the way for more alternate energy resources.

Walton Yazzie, Randy Begay, Jeremy Castillo, Brandon Dodge, and Travis Begay, all graduates from our Welding Program and Tanaka Myerson, a Cement Masonry graduate, have now been working for FLUOR and living in Arizona for 3 months. They are all currently working as Solar Panel Assemblers earning $12.90 an hour. Being a part of a crew of over 100 people has been a challenge for these graduates, but they have learned that every person holds an important role in this huge operation.

“We enjoy working and staying busy” said Myerson. Their shift begins at 4am, before the hot Arizona sun rises, when all of the workers get picked up at a central lot by bus and get dropped off at various locations throughout the worksite. Each site has their own crew that assembles panels and lays them out in designated areas, ensuring that they would receive the appropriate amount of sunlight needed to operate properly. Their time at Palo Verde will also give them the opportunity to move up to different, more specific job roles where they will be able to utilize the more specific skills they learned while studying their trades.

The move to Arizona happened quickly, but with the support of the Albuquerque Job Corps Center, and the hands-on assistance from CTS, who accompanied the students to Arizona, found them housing and helped them settle in to work and life in their new setting they were able to settle in.  . “Job Corps really helped us find a place to stay which meant a lot and we would like to thank everyone who has been there for us” said R. Begay. The move was difficult for some, leaving friends and family behind, but they all looked forward to starting their new jobs.

Not only do these graduates work together, they live together as well. The guys moved into two 3-bedroom apartments just 15 minutes away from the job site. When asked what it’s like to be working and living along side other Job Corps graduates Myerson said “We get along fine and help each other out…I do all the cooking”. Being able to room together helps with rent, bills, and transportation, but it’s also great to have people they could trust and rely on away from home.

The graduates agree that Job Corps prepared them to be high-quality employees and gave them the tools (both literally and figuratively) to have the opportunity to work for Fluor. As students, they worked day in and day out on projects on-center that helped develop their skills in their trade. Their dedication to work has helped them, said Allen New, who is now requesting us to “send as many Job Corps students as you can!” Once the project is complete several of them plan to stay in Arizona to see what other opportunities arise. One thing is for sure, the adventures are just beginning.