“Pro Comp Suspension has become one of the largest employers of our graduates,” advised San Diego Job Corps Career Transition Services Manager Joe Guiffre.  “They’ve hired 13 of our graduates, and currently 21 of our students are engaged in paid Work-Based Learning (internships) with them.   There are seventeen career technical training courses on our center and the company has hired, or have student interns in seven of these trades.”

Since 1992, Pro Comp Suspension has been manufacturing products for on and off road enthusiasts including tires, wheels, suspensions, and shocks.  In 1998 the company began manufacturing tires and three years later released the first of their Pro Comp wheels.  The company, located on Boswell Road in Chula Vista, employs 115 people.

“In February of 2012 the first Job Corps students began their Work-Based Learning assignments at our company,” advised Stephanie Alvarado, Human Resources Manager at Pro Comp Suspension.  Ms. Alvarado later attended an Office Administration Advisory Council meeting at the San Diego Center.  “It was my first visit to Job Corps and I met with Job Corps staff members and other business professionals, and we talked about how students could prepare for the competitive job market.”

“Our business is seasonal,” Ms. Alvarado continued,” and the relationship with Job Corps means we don’t have to hire people and let them go when business slows.  Job Corps students get paid for their six to eight week Work-Based Learning assignment here. It is a “win-win” situation for both of us as it helps us reduce our unemployment rate and helps their students prepare for future jobs.”

Job Corps graduate Jorge Bardales, who was in the first group of Work-Based Learning students at the company, was recently hired to work as a receiving clerk.  Originally from Los Angeles, Bardales has decided to live in San Diego.  “I love working at the company,” he stated.  “It feels like a family atmosphere, and everyone is friendly and helpful.”

Yvette Martinez is also a San Diego Job Corps graduate who formerly lived in Los Angeles.  She was hired by the company in March after completing the center’s Medical Office Support Career Technical Training program.  Martinez helps with work orders and tracks the efficiency of production. “I enjoy working here and am learning a lot in my job” she stated.  “I feel that Job Corps prepared me well for this position.”

“We have an excellent working relationship with Pro Comp Suspension,” stated Venissa Candelaria, who coordinates Job Corps’ Work-Based Learning partnership with the company.  “They are great people to work with and will hire our students if the opportunity arises.  In the meantime it’s a great opportunity for our students to apply the skills they’re learning at Job Corps.”