John Bryant, a 21-year-old former concurrent enrollment student at Carl D. Perkins Job Corps Center, didn’t take long putting the skills and training he learned to good use.

Bryant, of Hippo, enrolled at Job Corps this past year to better his chances to earn money for gas and food while attending nearby Big Sandy Community and Technical College. During this time , Bryant said though he wasn’t an on-campus student, Perkins staff always kept in touch with him and assisted him in completing his work in the study of auto mechanics.

“My counselor, Emma Farthing, assisted me with anything that I needed,” Bryant said.  “She kept me informed of all the necessary Job Corps requirements as well as offering encouragement when times were difficult.” 

Farthing also touched base with Bryant and his instructors as well as school personnel in general about his attendance and grades on a regular basis, while his instructors at Big Sandy Community and Technical College were already looking for a job Bryant could begin after graduating.

“After enrolling in the auto program, I bought a Dodge Duster to restore,” said Bryant. “During my classes, Mr. Owens let us rebuild my engine and transmission as our class project.”

The on-hand experience paid off as the college’s job search landed Bryant an interview with Moore’s Chevrolet in South Williamson. Bryant took his experience, an Associate of Applied Science degree and started work, where he remains today.

But auto mechanics wasn’t always a given for Bryant, who first enrolled at Berea College to study sports medicine. But his path, and those who helped him along  that path, gave him the chance to do what he truly enjoys, he said, something he had enjoyed since he was 15.

“Job Corps is a great program for students who will take is seriously,” Bryant said. “Students can get help with education, training and job placement.”