On August 30, 2011, approximately 120 graduates celebrated their accomplishments in the San Jose Job Corps Center’s Quad area during the first Annual National Job Corps Association’s Commencement Day.  This was a nationwide event where 124 Job Corps Centers throughout the country participated by hosting a similar graduation celebration at their centers.

Our first National Job Corps Commencement Day was a grand event at the Center.  Having OWL companies, Chairman and CEO Mr. Greg Burden, Job Corps Regional Director Mr. Brian Daher, City of Milpitas Mayor Mr. Jose “Joe” Esteves and various other dignitaries made it a memorable occasion for our students and staff.  Philip George, Career Development Director, reminds us that in this competitive job market and trying times, we need the community support to continue this viable program as we prepare our students with the much needed employment skills employers are requiring.  “I am honored to have a very highly qualified Career Development team of instructors and staff to help make this and other graduations meaningful for our graduates and their families.” 

Center Director Leslie Gilroy says “This was such a big day!  Staff and students worked very hard to ensure all the details were covered to make this day a memorable one for the graduating students. Not only was this accomplished, but it was also a day that touched many of our guests, including me! I am so proud of our students and staff. Our graduating students impressed our guests from DOL, our Corporate Office, the Mayor of Milpitas and Congressman Mike Honda’s office.  Robert Carline was spectacular in his rendition of the National Anthem! I cannot wait for next year!”

“Graduating students came to class early on Tuesday August 30^th grinning from ear to ear as they put on their caps and gowns” stated Aisha Shapiro, lead teacher for John Muir Charter School. “We all felt so proud to see our students walk across the stage.”  John Muir and GED Graduate Paul Ramirez had his family present to witness him receiving his diploma and embraced him in a group hug.  I witnessed an instructor tell a student’s mother that he was a great student and his mother quickly responded with “hearing your teacher say good things about you makes me so proud.”

Afrah Abdullah, Reading Instructor, was pleased to see the graduates walk in the procession with confidence and honor.  The students “embodied the Core Values of the San Jose Job Corps Center and demonstrated to the community around them what a TREMENDOUS return on investment occurs in a student’s education and job training.”

“Mayor Esteves’s story of himself overcoming obstacles as an immigrant was encouraging and his message to the students “Resources are limited, so let us use them wisely and keep life simple” had an impact with our students and guests.  “It is gratifying to hear that a high ranking DOL employee, handling an 11 billion dollar annual budget is a former Job Corps Graduate. This shows the potential of what Job Corps graduates can achieve.” stated Perple Lu, Math Instructor.

Math Instructor, Glenn McFarren spent time at the reception with Ashley Roybal-Reid, Congressional Aide for Congressman Mike Honda stating “this was Ashley’s first exposure to the Job Corps program and she was very impressed with the opportunities at Job Corps.”

GED Instructor, Ian White felt the real highlight was the opportunity for the Center to do something big together as a team.  “There was a lot of coordination between departments that made this ceremony special for our graduates and guests.  This event is indicative of what we do here as a team everyday!”