Jorge decided to enroll in the Hartford Job Corps Academy (HJCA) at the age of 24. He described his life at the time as unstable, influenced by “street life” and drugs, moving form place to place, and working different jobs. He stated, “I got tired of working dead end jobs that paid minimum wage and making the same dumb decisions that kept me in an unhealthy place. I also felt bad about being a negative influence on my brothers”.

Jorge mentioned that once he enrolled in Job Corps the program had a significant impact on his life. He was able to break old habits and take full advantage of the opportunities offered by the program. He met a lot of great people from different cultures and backgrounds. Jorge said he was able to put his leadership skills to the test and began to realize that students looked up to him. This gave him a deep sense of responsibility to continue to improve himself. He began to see things from a different perspective once he realized that his actions were just another way he could communicate and lead other students.

Jorge successfully obtained his driver’s license, OSHA Certification, Advanced Manufacturing Certificate and a one-year Advanced Manufacturing Machine Technology Certificate from Asnuntuck Community College through HJCA’s Advanced College Training Program. Upon graduation he was hired at Connecticut Tool & Cutter as an Inspector. His goals moving forward are to continue his education and eventually start his own business. Congrats Jorge!!!