Horizons Youth Services

Charleston Job Corps Center welcomes Curtis Price as new center director

Curtis E. Price Jr., who started his 26-year Job Corps career at the Charleston Job Corps Center, has been named center director there. Price, a native of Charleston, W.Va., joined CJCC on April 23.

Price has served as center director at five different Job Corps centers: Delaware Valley in New York, Westover in Massachusetts; Gary in Texas; Potomac in Washington, D.C.; and Penobscot in Maine. Additionally, he has served as director of student support services and vice president of government and community relations for Management & Training Corp., a major operator of Job Corps centers.

Price began his Job Corps career at CJCC, serving as an employability specialist/job developer at the center. Prior to joining Job Corps, he served as the equal employment opportunity administrator for the state of West Virginia, Governor’s Office; director of the recreation program at Central Charleston Community College; and head men’s basketball coach at West Virginia State University. Price earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education/social studies from West Virginia University.

Price noted that even though he’s been away from the Charleston area for quite some time, he has maintained a “deep love for and interest in how (CJCC) has been doing.” CJCC is a “very nice facility in a nice setting,” Price said. “The center has a rich history of performing well. We want to tap into that again.”

“We will strive to improve our outcomes in all areas,” Price said.” The center’s performance represents our students’ accomplishments.”

His immediate goals include ensuring the center environment is safe, fosters learning, and encourages students to be engaged in their learning. Price also plans to involve all staff in mentoring, modeling and monitoring of students, and provide staff with the training, vision and expectation needed to succeed and drive performance. “We want to celebrate every opportunity for success . . . a loud, noisy celebration!”

Price noted that CJCC is extending its on-line high school and GED programs to include monitored, proctored evening hours, and building new educational and employment partnerships to help students succeed. Additionally, CJCC now offers two new demanding career technical training programs: Pharmacy Technician and Dental Assistant. “These two programs are in their infancy stages, and we’re closely monitoring students’ needs to facilitate study focus groups to make sure students are keeping pace. The skills students learn in these new programs will pay off for them for the rest of their lives.”

Price noted that “Job Corps provides tremendous opportunities for students to grow socially and academically, and to develop employability skills” that will lead to fulfilling careers.