Gerald R. Ford Job Corps Center graduate William Duggar recently returned to the Center to speak to students about how Job Corps resulted in him landing a new career with American Electric Power River Operations, earning $184 a day and working as a Deck Hand on the Mississippi River. 

As William explained to the students, he came to the Gerald R. Ford Job Corps Center in March of 2010.  After one year, he had completed the Carpentry Trade and was accepted into the Transportation Communications Union Advanced Training Program at the St. Louis Job Corps Center.  He moved to St. Louis were he began his training on the barge line.  Training included daily work outs which were necessary to be able to physically prepare for the job, learning barge line terminology and safety procedures, and practicing interview questions.  At the end of June 2011 and after only 4 months in the Advanced Training program, he had successfully completed and was hired in with American Electric Power River Operations.   

Working 28 days on and 28 days off, William spends most of his time as a Deck Hand on a barge on the Mississippi River where he works 6 hour shifts twice a day and helps to move goods from the Ohio River area to the Gulf Coast.  He plans to continue to learn more about the barge line and eventually move up to 1st Mate or maybe even Captain someday.

“My goal was always to live independently” stated William to a large group of newly enrolled Job Corps students during his return visit at the Gerald R. Ford Job Corps Center.  “Job Corps gave me the opportunity to gain skills, start my career, and even buy my first house with my new wages.”