Faces of Job Corps: Leslie Mead

Leslie Mead came to the Inland Empire Job Corps in April of 2010 and completed the Carpentry program ten short months later in February of 2011. He has overcome enormous barriers to achieve his goals at Job Corps and beyond. While at Job Corps, Leslie held and maintained several leadership positions on center to include a dorm leader and the foreman for his trade. With his determination and with the help of several staff members, Mr. Mead successfully completed the program and is now using the skills he learned as a carpenter. Not only did he earn a GED on center, but he earned an OSHA 10 Certification, Green Awareness Certification and a Scaffolding Certification before leaving the program.

Leslie’s biggest motivation was his son. He had a desire to be a good role model for him and to provide a better future than the one he had. He used Job Corps as a stepping stone to a good future, and he is on his way to a good life. Leslie is currently working for Brand Scaffold Services in Bakersfield, CA. as a carpentry apprentice level III.