One of the long-standing missions of the national free, 60-year-old trade school, Job Corps Academy, is to provide their vocational students with as much hands-on experience in each of their chosen career paths before completing the program. Whether a student is studying Information Technology, Culinary Arts, Homeland Security, or Healthcare, once they have completed 60% or more of their curriculum, they are provided with work-based learning employment opportunities (internships) to apply the new skills.

Work-based learning opportunities (AKA Internships) can be offered to students both on and off campus. On campus can allow them to apply newly found skills when participating in national and local events.
Throughout January through March of 2024, enrolled young adults, ages 16 to 24 studying at the South Bronx Job Corps Academy did just that by participating in both the Newcomers Initiative Job Fair and Community Relations Council Meetings.

On Friday, January 26th, the South Bronx Job Corps Academy (SBJCA) located at 1771 Andrews Ave., kicked off its first on-center event, Newcomers Initiative, that allowed students to apply their different trade skills during a live public event.

Upon entering the SBJCA gymnasium during the Newcomers Initiative, all guests were welcomed by our very own students while signing into the event. On the left is our Homeland Security student, Antwone Jowhill. Keisy Calixto (center) and Deslie Lamazon (far right) are both studying in our Office Administration program.

 

 

Located in the trade center’s 8,000 Sq. foot recreation facility, during the Newcomer’s Initiative students and instructors from each of the seven trade programs offer at the free academy set up individual workstations around the walls of the gymnasium.

Individual exhibits from the culinary, homeland security, Information technology, construction, healthcare and A+ Network trades allowed attendees to walk freely around the room to each vocational station and speak directly with the students and instructors.

The smell of fresh birch and Douglas fir wood filled the back right corner of the gym while Home Builders Institute (HBI) and Building Construction Technology (BCT) Instructor Ronald Dennis (top center) and his students demonstrated some of the wood-based construction skills taught in the program.

 

 

 

The in-person career fair allowed young adult guests and their parents to ask direct questions they may not otherwise have thought of or had an opportunity to during a virtual, phone enrollment, or a high-school job fair.

Home Builders Institute (HBI) and Building Construction Technology (BCT) Instructor Ronald Dennis shown here demonstrates just one of the many construction skills learned at the SBJC.

 

 

 

As with any event hosted at the center, our students prepared a wide range of mouthwatering entrees and desserts for our guests to enjoy. The aroma of fresh basil, rosemary, garlic, onions, tomato sauce, pecorino, parmesan, asiago, and mozzarella cheese permeated throughout the room causing it to smell like a four-star family-owned Italian NYC restaurant. side.

 

 

 

 

 

Fresh sautéed vegetables and broiled salmon satisfied guest palates who wanted a lighter bite for lunch.

 

 

 

Culinary Instructor Virgil Ballew prepares the students for plating plates of the guests as they line up to his right.

 

 

 

In addition to learning culinary skills our students become proficient in hospitality serving and etiquette. Student Robert Asideu is seen here serving our guests their beverages of choice.

 

 

 

To satisfy the sweet tooth of our guests, homemade strawberry shortcake was just one of the culinary tasty desserts made by our very own students. From left to right are students Isaac Torres, Dominique Gooden, Jamal Lambert, Matthew Rodriguez
for the Newcomers Initiative Event in January 2024.

 

 

 

 

 

 

CMA Instructor Dr. Daniel Fink and his students set up their healthcare outreach table to explain the CNA and CMA certificates that can be earned before graduating from the program.

These certifications include:

CMA
• CET- Certified EKG Technician
• SPONSOR: NHA – National Health Career Association
• CMAA: Certified Medical Administrative Assistant
• SPONSOR: NHA – National Health Career Association
• EHRS: Electronic Health Records Specialist
• SPONSOR: NHA – National Health Career Association
• CPT – Certified Phlebotomy Technician
• SPONSOR: NHA – National Health Career Association
• CCMA: Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
• SPONSOR: NHA – National Health Career Association

Healthcare CNA
• Certified Nursing Assistant
• SPONSOR: NY State Department of Health