It was 7:00 a.m. on a recent Friday morning and the Long Beach Job Corps campus was buzzing with activity. Culinary Arts students were setting the outdoor tables with linen and fresh flowers, heating their omelet pans, and getting ready for the entrance of business partners. The “models” were practicing their walks on the runway. Staff members were placing the programs and door prizes in their designated locations. Other staff members were testing out the sound system, and making sure the coffee was brewing. Even more staff were manning the reception table ready to sign in the guests and collect their business cards. Everyone was doing last minute primping to make sure everything looked just right.

Then the show began.  At approximately 9 a.m. the Center Director gave a warm welcome to all the guests, most of whom were visiting the center for the first time. The Career Transition Services Department and Business & Community Liaison started the program, which began with an overview of Job Corps, Work-Based Learning, and Career Transition Services.

Many businesses were represented including automotive repair, transportation, travel, insurance, roadside assistance, chambers of commerce, accounting, military support, staffing services, housing and property management, and industrial supplies.

The Alliant Group and Working Wardrobes gave informative presentations and the the Long Beach Job Corps students ended the presentations with a finale that included the reveal of their makeovers. Each of the three student models, outfitted by community partner Working Wardrobes, confidently came down the runway in their new business attire.  

The event marked the first outdoor networking gathering  to introduce area businesses to Long Beach Job Corps students, program, and facility.