PIVOT Job Corps Center welcomed local high school counselors and counselors from youth transition programs around the Portland metro area on Wednesday, October 5th. In addition to the counselors and case workers, attendees included DESI Admission Counselors who were able to talk about the application process for PIVOT and the other Job Corps centers in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.

Site Director Tyna Moreschi was excited to bring the counselors together to learn about PIVOT. “It’s especially important now that we’re accepting male students,” said Tyna. “Our reputation has been as an all-female program and we want to spread the word far and wide that we welcome young men to take advantage of this opportunity.”

One of the aspects of Job Corps that Tyna emphasized was Job Corps’ Zero Tolerance Policy. “With the changes, we want to make sure the people working with applicants know what we expect and that we emphasize safety,” Tyna explained. “I gave an overview of what zero tolerance means for us and how we work within that framework.”

Attendees also heard from Jessica Corpuel, PIVOT’s Employment Specialist. Jessica gave an overview of how she works with new students, students who are ready for internships, and students who are getting ready to graduate. “I’m involved more and more as the student is in the program, but I’m really meeting with them at the beginning, middle, and end of their time at PIVOT.” Jessica discussed where students had been hired and the different places they have worked internship hours. “Our goal is to get students trained and ready to work and we do that by helping them build the confidence they need to apply for jobs and go to interviews,” she continued.

At the end of the presentation, the counselors were given a tour of PIVOT and invited to share the program with their clients and students. PIVOT Job Corps Center recently started accepting male students and has immediate openings for male and female students. They hold an open house every Wednesday at 2pm and can also schedule visits and tours during other times of the week. To contact PIVOT JCC, call 503.274.7343 or toll-free at 1.877.874.0829.