Last month, Danny Mauldin wasn’t sure where he’d be once he finished his Culinary Training at the Gainesville Job Corps Center…now he knows it’s the last place her ever thought he would go…Alaska.

‘Honestly, I’m scared but in a good way. I can’t wait to get out there” said Mauldin, who heads North in July to meet up with former Job Corps classmate Mark Gipson.

The two students will be cooking for military contractors and part of the Air Force’s 611th Squadron at Eareckson Air Station in Aleutian Islands; thanks to some impressive synergy between Del-Jen contracts.

Originally discussed between project managers at a corporate meeting, service Supervisor Mark Collier decided to pursue the idea and was impressed with the students as soon as he made contact with the Center.

“Once I interviewed them and saw their culinary knowledge and how well they answered my questions, I realized that they were the caliber guys I was looking for,” says Collier, “and it’s a win-win situation with Del-Jen and Job Corps supporting each other.”

Both Gipson and Mauldin were excited about the opportunity once it was presented. “I’m still excited,” said Mauldin, “I haven’t been able to sleep trying to get everything done and making sure I do it well.”

Gainesville Job Corps Culinary instructor Aaron Pringle is happy for his students, “it is a great opportunity for them. I’m grateful that Del-Jen is supporting us and I hope that this partnership offers opportunity to more students.”

Danny and Mark will stay on the island while working and have a month off out of every three.

“The best thing will be having the money to be independent and out on my own. I can’t wait to see the northern lights,” said Mauldin.

And there may soon be more students heading North…Collier is interviewing other students while he is in Florida and sees more opportunity as Del-Jen wins other contracts, “I could see it becoming standard practice hiring students after graduation.,” Collier said.