Welcome Eric Jones, new center director at Muhlenberg Job Corps

Eric Jones is the new center director at Muhlenberg Job Corps. Jones, whose first day at the center was June 16th, came to Muhlenberg from Bamberg Job Corps Center in South Carolina, where he was center director four years. Jones, who has more than 13 years of Job Corps experience, also served as career development service director at Miami Job Corps; career development/transition program manager at Flint/Genesee Job Corps; independent living manager at the Earle C. Clements; and career counselor and leadership coordinator at Excelsior Springs.

Welcome to Muhlenberg!

Charleston Job Corps BCL Tia Welch honored by Rotary Club

Congratulations to Tia Welch, business community liaison for the Charleston, WV Job Corps Center. Tia was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Charleston Rotary Club in recognition of her efforts to further understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world. Tia, who served as president of the Charleston Rotary Club for 2013-14, was the first African-American president of the Charleston club. Tia noted that her election to that post "speaks volumes to the spirit of inclusion and diversity our club has to making the world a better place for ALL."

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.