The Charleston Job Corps Center (CJCC) operating under Horizons Youth Services (HYS) held a joint meeting of the Community Relations and Workforce Council on Friday, July 21, 2017, 12:00 noon at the Charleston Marriott Town Center.

Several members, guests, staff and students attended the luncheon and program featuring Student Success. Tia Welch, Business Community Liaison called the meeting to order and welcomed attendees. Teresa Sypolt, Human Resources Manager informed attendees of job openings at the center.

The program began immediately after lunch. “Every year the center recognizes the Community Relations Council and Workforce Council members for their support and participation. Today we want you to hear from some of students you are helping by partnering with the center to provide opportunities for community service, volunteering, work based learning, mentoring and employment opportunities” said Tia Welch.

The students began by introducing themselves followed by what brought them to Job Corps, center training and accomplishments and future goals. Three of the students participating are enrolled in the center’s Advanced Career Training (ACT) Program at BridgeValley Community and Technical College and one student is awaiting advanced training to Edison Job Corps Center, Edison NJ for Advanced Plumbing.

Students sharing their stories include Phillip Turner, Deion Lee, David Trinidad, and Julia Fournier. Training Director, Sermario Wiggins provided center updates, congratulated the students and provided closing remarks. “We are proud of all of our students. The students here today represent a portion of the student body who are on center working every day to accomplish their goals and we need our community to help make it happen.” Students received accolades and invitations to speak at YMCA, Salvation Army and WV Women’s Commission upcoming events.

Job Corps is a no-cost education and career technical training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor that helps young people ages 16-24 improve the quality of their lives through career technical and academic training. The Charleston Job Corps Center is overseen by the Philadelphia Regional Office of Job Corps and is operated by Horizons Youth Services.