June 15, Heritage Park, Holyoke: The Culinary Arts students from Westover Job Corps served 750 hot dogs to job seekers and employers at the Career Point Hot Dogs for Hot Jobs event. The students also prepared pistachio brittle for raffle prizes.

Shown are Mark Doward, Brianna Dailey, Dakota Sneed, Zebron Scott, Amaury Baez and Christopher Arnold. Holyoke resident Dakota Sneed recalled learning about the program at last year’s event. “Basically what I saw was the Culinary students working, and when I walked around I saw the Job Corps booth. I read about it and I thought, “I actually want to go there.” After 11 months he is a Culinary students and has earned his GED. “Westover is a well rounded and fun facility. I can encourage anyone to come here.”

No one has more empathy for adults in transition than students at the Department of Labor Job Corps program, where job hunting and career success are at the core of every activity. The students took turns visiting employer booths and talking with the public about the program for young people ages 16-24. A good number of visitors to the event said they wished they were still young enough to qualify.

The Chicopee based campus employs 217 employees and had its own recruiting booth. “It takes a special kind of person to work on a Job Corps center”, said Alice Buckner, Business & Community Liaison. “We expect our staff to model the ultimate professionalism at all times. This is at the core of how we teach. “ The center is currently recruiting for teachers, tutors and substitutes for its academic program which enables students to earn a High School Diploma or GED while pursuing a trade.