“I was 24 years old and was working as a laborer at minimum wage jobs when my uncle, a Job Corps graduate, told me about the program,” advised San Diego Job Corps student Luis Aguilar. “I enrolled this spring and during the last 7 months I earned my GED and completed the Tile trade.”  Luis will join 7 other Job Corps students who will enroll in January for the Spring Semester at Southwestern College in Chula Vista.  “After I receive my Associate’s Degree,” Luis stated, “I plan on transferring to a four-year college and eventually pursue a Master’s Degree in Business.”

Job Corps Social Development Director Melina Williams coordinates the Advanced Career Training (ACT) Program at the center. “Luis has shared that he will be the first member of his family to graduate from college, which is often the case with our students,” she stated. “Once they enroll at Job Corps they see the opportunities for success in our academic and Career Technical Training programs, and the possibility of attending college.  The ACT Program further enhances the skills they’ve learned at Job Corps.”

Southwestern College provides financial assistance each year to 25 Job Corps students enrolled at the college.  “Their tuition and books are paid for by the college, while we provide room, board, and transportation for them,” Mrs. Williams advised.   “Our center has a Learning Resource Center for them to use, and we provide tutors if they need assistance.  We also help them find part-time work while they are enrolled year-round at the college.”

Mrs. Williams advised that the overall completion rate for students enrolled in the ACT Program is approximately 90%.  “It’s a wonderful opportunity for students who qualify for the program.  Many students have gone on to graduate from four year colleges like San Diego State University and the University of San Diego.”

“It seems like once I started completing things at Job Corps, the more successful I became,” Luis stated.  “I began to realize all the opportunities I had to have a good career in the future.  All the staff at the center have been great, especially my Tile instructor Nick Campagna.”  Luis advised that his parents are very proud of what he’s accomplished in a short period of time.  “My long range career goal is to work for the Daltile Corporation.  It’s an excellent company and eventually I want to be their San Diego Regional Supervisor.”