Omar Harrison has successfully completed both cement and brick trades while he attended the Whitney M. Young Job Corps Center. Harrison arrived to the WMYJCC on May 30, 2017 and departed on Monday, September 10th, to start his new fulltime positon with Hagerman on Tuesday, September 11th.
Everything happen so quickly for Harrison in September, he went from being in his trade researching for the right career opportunity to being employed within a few days. Thankfully he was prepared when the opportunity presented itself. Harrison participated in three Work Based-Learning positions that gave him plenty of on-the-job training and experience to build not only his confidence, but his wallet as well. Having the various WBL employment assignments allowed Harrison to save 80% of his income to purchase a 2005 silver Impala and to obtain his own apartment. Harrison enjoys the independence he has been seeking.
Coming from Memphis, TN with limited employment opportunities to working in the Brick Allied Craft (BAC) workers Local 4 Union as a 50% apprenticeship bricklayer with full benefits speaks volumes to the opportunities that WMYJCC has to offer. Including full benefits and retirement Harrison’s total package is over $26 per hour and is projected for significant raises every 6 months. All of this is possible due to his training and the certifications he earned while attending WMYJCC.
Harrison in his new role does various duties such as laying blocks and bricks, putting on flashing and other duties assigned. Harrison is currently building a school and can look back 20 years from now and say I helped to build this building thanks to the training and development I received from the WMYJCC.