Success Stories
Carl D. Perkins student finds success
Elijah Lamon, 19 year old student from Jacksonville FL, came to Perkins Job Corps in August, 2015. Elijah stated that when he was home he was not doing anything with his life, he stayed in the house mostly and didn’t like big crowds. He also stated that he didn’t have any independent living skills that he depended on his family for everything. But this all changed after he came to Perkins. Elijah admitted it wasn't easy at first, as he had never been away from home especially this far. He begin training in the security and protective services program and working on his high school diploma. Elijah, soon found a new confidence after he got over his homesickness and fear of change. He excelled in his trade and academic classes, while also becoming a student leader on campus. Elijah only needed a few credits to complete his high school and worked hard in his trade. He attended many community events where he gave up a lot of his own time on Saturdays and after hours to volunteer for them.
Elijah stated that coming to Job Corps not only helped him obtain his high school diploma and training, but it taught him about life and how to be independent. He got his driver's license, learned about budgeting, how to open up a bank account and interacting with others. He stated he has learned and grown as a person so much since being in the program. This is what led him to be able to obtain a security job back in his home in Jacksonville, FL. Not only will he be working at what he trained for, he will be working at Terry Parker High school, the same school that he left in his Junior year. Elijah said he is very excited to be back at the school to see his teachers and show them what he has accomplished through hard work.
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"Carl D. Perkins Job Corps Has Done More for Me Than Anyone Ever Has."
"Carl D. Perkins Job Corps has done more for me than anyone ever has". This is what 20 year old, Carl D. Perkins Job Corps Facility Maintenance student Curtis Clemons said on the day he graduated. Clemons came to the Perkins Job Corps from Lexington, KY on September 15, 2015. He was in search of a better future, a skill that would lead him to a career and better life than he was living.
Curtis soon found that the facility maintenance trade was a good fit for him. He worked each day under the supervision of his instructor Mr. Ricky Yates. Curtis soon found himself a student leader on center and in the classroom. He would oversee other students while working on jobs around campus. Curtis also racked up over 250 work based learning hours while doing internships with businesses in the community, which was valuable on the job training.
Curtis completed all of his trade requirements and was placed in the last phase of the program, Career Transition Readiness (CTR) classes. Students are in CTR for at least 4-6 weeks to job search, update resumes, and work on interview skills. Curtis put in an online application for the Doubletree Suites by Hilton in Lexington, KY for a facility maintenance job. Curtis was called for an interview and Career Readiness Instructor Thomas Rouse transported Curtis to his interview in Lexington, KY. The following day, Mr. Rouse received this email form the General Manager of the Hotel.
“Thank you, Mr. Rouse. I interviewed and hired Curtis. What an excellent example of your school! I could use one more person, if you have other students in mind.”
This shows that job corps works and worked for Curtis Clemons
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SPS Students Honored for Hard Work
The City of Pikeville Commissioners recently recognized and thanked our Security & Protective Services (SPS) students. The students worked long hours during Pikeville's Hillbilly Days event by providing security for the parking garage and at stations throughout the city. The Commissioners also approved a partnership with Carl D. Perkins Job Corps that allows our SPS students to provide security for other city events this summer.
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Work-based Learning Leads to Paid Jobs for Two Students
Two of our Security & Protective Services (SPS) students, 24-year-old, Sarah Ray, and 20-year-old, Jennifer Mizell, have landed paid positions with SEI Security Inc., of Pikeville, Kentucky. The positions were a result of work-based learning (WBL) that the students participated in thanks to the watchful eye of their instructor, Jeffry Aldrich.
Sarah and Jennifer will be working between 25 to 35 hours weekly putting the skills they learned at Carl D. Perkins Job Corps to good use. The certifications they earned in using oleoresin capsicum (OC) pepper spray, tasers and handcuffs are just a few of the qualifications for their new jobs.
Carl D. Perkins Job Corps Center and SEI Security Inc. have a partnership that affords our students the opportunity to have valuable on-the-job training while earning money for their futures.
Congratulations, Sarah and Jennifer, on landing the new jobs!
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Student Reaches New Heights as a Certified Kentucky Firefighter
Thomas Flanery, a 20-year-old from Langley, Kentucky, enrolled at Carl D. Perkins Job Corps Center in June 2013. Thomas was a high school graduate, but he wanted to pursue a career in the security field. Once at our center, Thomas immediately started working hard in the Security & Protective Services (SPS) program. He also became a student leader in his class and in the dorms after hours.
Thomas got the opportunity to do work based-learning (WBL) with the Prestonsburg Fire Department for six weeks. Thomas immediately started working on safety inspections of the trucks and equipment at the station.
In January 2014 after his six weeks of WBL were finished, Thomas enrolled in the weekly drill classes held at the station. In addition to the two-hour drill classes, he worked weekends at the station learning various elements of being a firefighter. It wasn't long until Thomas completed all of the qualifications to become a certified Kentucky firefighter.
In Kentucky, you must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma to become a firefighter. It is also necessary to complete an application, pass a written exam, and complete a rigorous physical fitness test for which practice and preparation is highly recommended in order to become a recruit. If a candidate passes both the written and physical exams, he/she is then an eligible candidate. If selected to become a firefighter, the candidate must complete a training course that spans several weeks depending on the facility where the test is administered. This course ensures that the firefighter has sufficient strength and stamina. Generally, the test assesses the firefighter's abilities in four categories: cardio-respiratory (heart-lung) fitness; appropriate body composition; strength and muscular endurance; and flexibility.
After completing the Job Corps program, Thomas plans to take Emergency medical technician (EMT) classes while working with the Prestonsburg Fire Department.
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Carl D. Perkins Student Finds Success
Carl D Perkins Job Corps Center 20 year old carpentry student, Bobby Daniels, from Martin County, KY is leaving the Perkins center today, after completing all program requirements in the Carpentry trade since enrolling in the program in February, 2014.
He starts work at Coleman Custom Carpentry making $10.00 an hour on September 30 in Paintsville, KY. Bobby says that the one thing he will take with him when he leaves is a better work ethic and that Job Corps got him back on track and focused.
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Thor Finnigen Achieves His Goal of Becoming a Marine
Carl D. Perkins Job Corps student, Thor Finnegan's, lifelong goal has been to become a marine. He used his training at the Carl D. Perkins Job Corps Center as a stepping stone to help him achieve his dream. Earlier this month, Finnegan began basic training for the U.S. Marine Corps.
He completed his Security & Protectives Services Program and received his high school diploma while also doing Work Based Learning at the Prestosnburg Fire Department.
Congratulations Thor!
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Perkins Student Invited to the Shaping Our Appalachian Region Event for an Innovative Idea
Carl D. Perkins Job Corps student, Christine Taul's, conversation with the executive assistant to the Governor of Kentucky about her idea to transform an abandoned coal refinery into a recycling plant landed her an invitation to an upcoming Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) event.
Taul received the invitation to the SOAR meeting when she met with Colmon Elridge, executive assistant to Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear, on February 5 as part of the National Job Shadow Day. Taul discussed with Elridge her idea to turn an abandoned coal refinery into a recycling plant and hire displaced coal miners to work there sorting recyclable materials.
Elridge was so impressed with Taul's idea that he invited her to attend the SOAR Summit in Pikeville, Kentucky and present her idea. The summit, originally planned for Feb. 16, was postponed because of bad weather, and will be rescheduled for March or April.
Taul, 22, from Bonnievillle, Kentucky, has been enrolled at the Carl D. Perkins Job Corps Center for two years. She has completed training in the Security & Protective Services program and currently is enrolled at Big Sandy Community & Technical College and is majoring in criminal justice.
Page last updated:
Tuesday, May 03, 2016