Sherman Watkins stated” I went to Job Corps a year ago and it was the best decision I have ever made”.

Sherman Watkins, a 21 year old electrical graduate entered the Perkins Job Corps program on March 12, 2015, with the encouragement of his grandmother and friends. Sherman stated that after high school college really was not for him. He worked several jobs over the next 3 years where he lived with his grandmother in London, KY, and was barely making it on the pay he was receiving. This is when he knew he had to make a change and heard about Job Corps. He wanted to be an electrician and heard that the Carl D. Perkins Job Corps Center had the best electrical program.

Sherman began his journey at the Perkins Center soaking up all of the knowledge he could in every class and project he worked on. Sherman was one of the top electrical students in Mr. Miller’s electrical class. Always willing to go above and beyond and eager to learn new skills, Sherman soon became a leader in the class and on center and he was also a top student in the Perkins leadership program.

While on center, Sherman said that he attended a seminar provided by Career Transition Readiness Coordinator Brenda Taylor and she discussed opportunities at the Oneonta Advanced Electrical Training Program in New York. He said the more he talked with Ms. Taylor about the program he knew this was for him. On January 18, 2016, Sherman transferred to the Advanced Electrical Smart Meter and Instrumentation Technician program at the Oneonta Job Corps. Sherman stated the training he received at the Perkins center prepared him well for the next level of training he was going for. Sherman completed the program in three and half months. He stated it was intense and well worth it.

Sherman was quick to say that he thanks Job Corps every day for the opportunity it has gave him, to receive this level of training at both Perkins and Oneonta led him to his current job. Sherman is now an Electronic Technician making $18.00 an hour at TCO a company contracted by Sylvania & Osram in Corbin, KY, responsible for making automotive lighting for all Toyota vehicles. Sherman does all electrical maintenance on the equipment. Sherman also stated that his electrical instructor Mr. Miller at Perkins is an amazing instructor.

Job Corps works and it worked for Sherman Watkins Jr.