Wilkin Mena came from the island of Santa Cruz on  March 8, 2008, originally from Dominican Republic. He began his education in Arecibo Job Corps on July 16, 2008 where he chose the Electrical Career Technical Training.

Wilkin completed his Electrical Career Technical Training on October 16, 2009 and it is then that he decides to join the Advanced Career Training Program on October 19, 2010 to complete his Career Pathway.  He studied refrigeration with air conditioning from October 26, 2009 to October 22, 2010 with a GPA of 4.00 points. During the Advanced Career Training Program, Wilkin took the exam of assistant electrician on July 1, 2010, passing it with 70%. The Environmental Protection Agency review on November 6, 2010, and the refrigeration test on November 10, 2010.
Among the goals that Wilkin has, short and long-term, he wants to live in Puerto Rico, work as a refrigeration technician, study electrical engineering, and obtain his expert electrician license to have his own company.  He acknowledges that Job Corps helped him achieve his academic goals and Technical Degree in refrigeration. He learned to deal with different situations with the help of Job Corps staff and he was able to change his character.

Wilkin indicates that his mentor was his case evaluator that was always on the watch of his academic progress and things he needed. He also mentioned that there were other staff from different departments who always asked him if he needed any help, just let them know.

Wilkin Mena finished studying, was separated of the Program on  November 12, 2010, and was employed by the  Action Services Agency of Cupey to work for Abbott Pharmaceuticals in Barceloneta in the green areas while he waits for his refrigeration license.

Wilkin mentions: “I encourage all young people to select Job Corps as an alternative to accomplish their short and long term goals because they will be provided with all the necessary tools to achieve their goals in life. The experience I had with Job Corps was really great”. 

“We wish Wilkin Mena success with his new future”.

  By: Nancy Maisonet, Career Development Service Secretary