Dozens of students from 5 of the Alachua County High Schools poured into the Gainesville Job Corps Center earlier this month to learn about the center’s career technical opportunities . November 1st, the Center hosted it’s 4th annual Career Expo. Job Corps trains and certifies students in Certified Nursing Assistance, Certified Medical Assistance, Auto Tech, Culinary Arts, Carpentry, Painting, Business Office Technologies, Pre Law Enforcement/Security, Facilities Maintenance and Advance Solar Panel Installation. Career Technical Training Manager William Segui welcomed nearly 150 high school students and community members to the Career Expo. The Career Technical Training students demonstrated, discussed, and presented their trade advantages to dozens of onlookers.

“WOW! this is a great opportunity,” exclaimed one tenth grader, “I never knew these opportunities were available. I can hardly wait to attend Job Corps one day.”

“We want high school students to view Job Corps as an option as they graduate high school,” said CDS Director Barbara Walker, ” I always tell students that Job Corps is a stepping stone to their destiny. Students who attend our Center go on to college or to the military.”

Outreach and Admissions Advisor, Staffon Smith, offers orientations to all interested students every Thursday, from 9am until 12pm, at the center; located at 5301 NE 40th Terrace, Gainesville, FL 32609. Potential students, between the ages of 16-24, are encouraged to attend the orientation to enroll in the program. To learn more about the Job Corps program, please visit www.jobcorps.gov or call Staffon Smith at 352-264-0300.

Many of the high school students remarked at the opportunities available at the center. Some said that after graduation from high school that they would be signing up to attend Job Corps.