“I did not want to continue living paycheck to paycheck earning minimum wage. I wasn’t going anywhere and want to make something out of myself. That’s why I chose to enroll at Job Corps,” shared former student, MICHAEL ZAPIEN JR. Michael was recently hired at Skanska-Shimmick-Herzog as an Apprentice working on the upcoming BART system which is an estimated $800 million dollar project.

Michael enrolled in Job Corps on 03/24/2014. He received a Certificate of Completion in Carpentry and Material Handling. While attending Job Corps, he always kept himself busy. After school, Michael worked part time at Orchard Supply Hardware and then at Unisource Solutions to support his own family. He could not have reached his educational and career goals without the inspiration and support of all the staff especially – Edward Ruiz, Kurt Cheetsos, Feliciano Perez, and the CTS team.

Michael separated from the program on 06/01/15. After Job Corps, he was accepted into the Union and completed one week training at Carpenter’s Training Union in Morgan Hill. Shortly thereafter he was hired as an Apprentice for Skanska-Shimmick-Herzog, which is the contractor for the 16-mile BART Extension Project into Santa Clara Valley. Michael is now working full time earning $25.44 per hour in the vocational trade he studied for at Job Corps. He earns great benefits, medical, dental, and a pension. His personal goal is to save money and sometime in the future get his own place with his family.
As a graduate from Job Corps, Michael’s message to current and future students is “Have a plan and goals of what you want to accomplish at Job Corps. Don’t set yourself up for failure and stop worrying about making friends or complaining about the food or staff. This program can be everything to you for your benefit if you let it. I never complained, I followed the rules, and I did what was expected of me. Look at where I am now. I’m working full time for a great company with great benefits.” Michael appreciates the staff, support, and San Jose Job Corps for his accomplishments!

WAY TO GO MICHAEL!!!