Muhlenberg Job Corps recognizes Brooks as April Employee of the Month

Commercial Driver’s License Instructor Scottie Brooks has been named April Employee of the Month at Muhlenberg Job Corps Center. Brooks, who was hired as the CDL instructor in April 2006, has been repeatedly recognized for not only his contributions to the success of his students to also to the success of the center and of local citizens.

The CDL career technical training program has consistently obtained high overall scores, which directly affect the overall center performance. During April alone, the CDL trade contributed 146.70% to the Center’s overall score within the Outcome Measurement System. In April, the CDL trade had four student completers, one student direct job placement, two Job Training Matches

(JTM’s) with wage upgrades, and a 12-month positive survey with an average earnings of $1100, which played a key role in propelling the rating for that category.  Brooks continues to put in numerous hours more than his regular schedule, working diligently to get his class of 11 students completed in a timely fashion. Congratulations on a job well done!

Pictured are Scottie Brooks, CDL Instructor, and Ashley Knight, HR manager at Muhlenberg Job Corps Center.

Muhlenberg Job Corps female student soars in non-traditional trade!

Hats off to Muhlenberg Job Corps student Anne Marie Scheer, who not only is training in a non-traditional trade for women, but who is excelling in that trade! Scheer, 25, non-residential student, drives 106 miles round trip daily from her home in Webster County to attend Muhlenberg AND juggles her training with the demands of motherhood! Talk about a busy woman!

She enrolled in Job Corps with her high school diploma and has successfully completed the Heavy Equipment Operators course, which has landed her certifications in OSHA, flagger and fork lift operations.  Her goal is to continue her education in other training areas such as construction equipment mechanics and the truck driving course (CDL) before transferring to advanced mechanics training.

John Austin, Heavy Equipment Operator instructor, states “Anne is one of the hardest, most dedicated students I have ever had in class.  She can operate any piece of equipment, takes all safety precautions, and has never had a safety incident during her training.”
  
The Muhlenberg Job Corps offers four non-traditional trade opportunities to promote females in the workforce:  Heavy Equipment Operator, Construction Equipment Mechanics, Heavy Truck Driving, and Welding.  Job Corps program provides training and resources, at no cost to those who qualify, in support of recruitment, retention, and workforce readiness.
   
If you would like to know more about the Muhlenberg Job Corps program, please contact Karen Robinson, business community liaison at (270) 377-3269.

Charleston Job Corps students attend Yes You Can Conference

Forty students from the Charleston Job Corps Center got a healthy dose of positive thinking during the recent day-long Yes You Can Conference April 23. The event, coordinated by Lisa Lewis, student personnel officer at CJCC to support student retention, was held at the John XXIII Pastoral Center in Charleston.

Center Director Willie Brown opened the conference by encouraging students to make the most of the day’s events and “have an open mind.”

Guest speakers included Dr. R. Jenee Walker of the Charleston Area Medical Center, who spoke about “Overcoming Barriers to Success;” and Carl Lee, director of community outreach for the City of South Charleston and former NFL Pro-Bowler, who presented “Responsibility and Leadership.”

The conference included break-out sessions for male and female students that focused on “What are employers looking for?” The session for males was facilitated by Frances Brooks, CEO of BrooAlexa Construction of Charleston, and the session for females was facilitated by Starlena Moore, RN, a former Job Corps graduate. BB &T conducted a group session, facilitated by T. Craig Pettry and Missy Ferguson, on banking and establishing credit. Job Corps staff held numerous workshops addressing transition services, advanced training opportunities, and safety.

Pictured, above, left to right, are Kwame Levi and Carl Lee, community outreach director, City of South Charleston.

Charleston Job Corps honors student moms

The Charleston Job Corps Center honored its students who are also mothers during its second annual Mother’s Day Celebration May 9.

Six student mothers were recognized during a reception -- Meskerem Gemtesa, Darlene Flores, Ally Haines, Bridget Hartz, Ashley Weedon and Marie Wells. Guest speaker was Carolyn Wesley of the East End Family Resource Center and a member of the center’s Community Relations Council.

Business Community Liaison Tia Welch, who hosted the event, told the young mothers:  “I want you to know that staff care, and we encourage you to complete your goals so you can be good mothers to your children.” Center Director Willie Brown encouraged the students with personal experiences and recognized their achievements. Wesley urged the students to set short- and long-term goals. She said, “Be mindful of your circle of influence and know your resources. Whatever is toxic or not working, you have to let it go.”

 Staff encouraged the students to stay committed to the program and achieve their academic and career technical training goals to ensure a better life for their families.

Pictured, left to right, are Darlene Flores, Bridget Hartz, Carolyn Wesley, Marie Wells, Meskerem Gemtesa, and Ashley Weedon.

Carl D. Perkins Job Corps Center receives Floyd County Chamber 'Partner in Education Award'

The Carl D. Perkins Job Corps Center has honored May 2 by the Floyd County Chamber of Commerce when it received the chamber’s Partner in Education Award. Center Director Thomas Rainey accepted the award from David Tackett of Citizens National Bank in Prestonsburg at the chamber’s Awards Banquet at Jenny Wiley State Park.

The center was honored for its ongoing support of education. Since its beginning in 1981, the Perkins center has enhanced the job training of its students by spending countless hours volunteering throughout the community.

During this past year, Perkins has partnered with the Floyd County Head Start program to assist with multi-cultural awareness, math and science activities for area youth. Additionally, the center’s security training program conducted a bike safety training program for all Floyd County students in grades K through third to educate them about the importance of bicycle safety. Through initiatives such as these, the Carl D. Perkins Job Corps Center continues to assist the educational process for area students in Floyd County.

Pictured at right, Center Director Thomas Rainey receives the Partners In Education Award from David Tackett.

Cleveland Job Corps students use green thumbs for greener neighborhood

Student Ambassadors from Cleveland Job Corps Center put their green thumbs to use May 3 at the Green It Up tree-planting event in the Central neighborhood of Cleveland.  The event was organized by the Western Reserve Land Conservancy and Burten, Bell, Carr Development as a pilot project, and funded by a grant awarded to Keep Ohio Beautiful.

A number of community organizations and businesses also supported the effort.  The trees were obtained from Davey Tree Resource Group, mulch and topsoil were donated by Kurtz Bros. Inc., and the Holden Arboretum educated volunteers about the different types of trees planted.

Cleveland Job Corps Student Ambassadors who volunteered for this project were Tommie Jamie, Jasmine Lathan, Tierra Lucas, Robert Ballentine, Fashyon Carter, Robyn Townsend, Tashara Watley and Erica Gary, accompanied by Business Community Liaison Michael E. Taylor.

Retired Senior Volunteers help Muhlenberg Job Corps students with taxes

The Retired Senior Volunteers of Muhlenberg County made tax time a bit easier for a number of students at the Muhlenberg Job Corps Center.  RSVP volunteers have been helping students file tax returns, free of charge, for the past eight years, and have been offering these services to others in Muhlenberg County for the past 19 years.

The volunteers helped more than 20 students file their returns and get a much appreciated tax refund.

Muhlenberg Job Corps student Braxter Hicks with RSVP volunteer Margaret Clark.

Perkins Job Corps students spend their Saturday to help rescued animals

Students from the Carl D. Perkins Job Corps Center headed out at 6 a.m. May 3 to assist the East KY Racers with their Ultimate 5K run in Prestonsburg, Ky. The proceeds of the race went to the Floyd County Animal Shelter, which is currently in need of major repairs and expansion due to the overwhelming number of animals in need of shelter.

Perkins students Marshall Watts, Jacob Taylor, Mark Hiester and Travis Digregorio added a humorous touch to the event by dressing up as zombies, and throwing mud and colored powder at the racers as they passed by. The students also handed out doughnuts during the food challenge along the course. The students all agreed that it was worth giving their time to ensure all the animals continue to receive the services that the shelter provides.

 


Pictured at the finish line are Perkins students Marshall Watts, Jacob Taylor, Travis Digregorio and Mark Hiester with East KY Racers Founder Brent Graden, center.

Charleston Job Corps students help with kids' health event

Students from the Charleston Job Corps Center volunteered for the 21st Annual Kidoodle Kids’ Day on May 3 at the South Charleston Community Center. This free event for area children and their families, included services such as free dental, hearing and vision screenings, glucose and speech screenings, car seat safety checks, Jupiter Jump, a DJ, clown, and much more.  Thomas Memorial Hospital staff  were on hand to answer questions, provide education materials to families, and help give away 500 bicycle helmets to the children.

The Charleston Job Corps students assisted with screenings by signing up families and helping them with paperwork. CJCC volunteers included Francesca Wickline, Sara McDuffie, Tiffany Robinson, Nadirrah Wright and Stephanie Brown accompanied by Tia Welch, business community liaison.
  
This annual event is sponsored by The Foundation for the Thomas Memorial and Saint Francis Hospitals.

Pictured left to right are Francesca Wickline; Sara McDuffie; Tiffany Robinson; Sandy Young, RN; Nadirrah Wright; and Stephanie Brown.