16 - 24 Year Old Students Finding Their Career Path, Passion and Hope for Free at Westover Job Corps

Chicopee, MA — For some, a traditional learning environment isn’t the right path. That’s when Westover Job Corps can help.

Every week, new students start the free program to learn on-the-job skills through work-based learning and begin their journey to a lasting career.

As outreach and admissions counselor with Westover Job Corps, Karina Castro says the organization works with each student to ensure the program will be successful.

“It’s very individual and at your own pace,” she said. “Students follow their own curriculum based on their own goals, what they want to do and what they want to achieve.”

Open enrollment is currently available for the non-traditional program. Students can start at any time, usually 30 days after their application is received.   

Students are encouraged to go through orientation before submitting an application. “We like to make sure that they know what they’re getting into. We want them to learn about Job Corps, and we want them to learn specifically what we offer before they even fill out an application.”

Students have a maximum of two years to complete their degree, but because each program is so individualized some may be finished in less than a year. During that time, they learn Monday through Friday and receive an allowance for basic needs.

“It’s like a job,” Castro said. “They earn personal time, they have holidays off.”

Through Job Corps, students serve the community with hands-on learning while they add to their program requirements, such as building a ramp at retirement facility.

“When our young people come to Job Corp, they know they’re going to learn from the community itself,” Castro said.

Driving Awareness

One of the biggest challenges Westover Job Corps faces is awareness. It’s a reason the organization is using the Stand Out Truck®, so that eligible students can discover this free opportunity.

“We needed a new way of advertisement,” Castro said. Other methods of building awareness haven’t always been effective, but she hopes that the mobility of the truck will be more successful in reaching people in different parts of the community.

“I thought, why not use the Stand Out Truck®,” Castrol said. “It’s mobile advertising and they can go to the areas that we can’t.”

Castro has seen the truck around town and feels it’s always noticeable, especially while sitting in a car.

“I’ve seen it everywhere,” she said. “Who doesn’t get stuck in traffic?”

Many Options, Many Opportunities

Through Job Corps’ non-traditional learning opportunity, students who have no interest in college or don’t enjoy a traditional education can gain work experience and start a career path.

“We want them to know there’s an option out there for them,” Castro said.

Students can finish high school then move into a trade degree, or they can earn a diploma through the HiSET program at Job Corps before moving into the program.

Some may eventually decide to continue their education through Job Corps partnership with community colleges.

“The greatest thing of all is that it’s completely free,” Castro said. “You get advanced training opportunities and college opportunities.”

Opportunities are also available to join the armed forces.

The program is completely free as long as students complete the requirements. They need a birth certificate, social security and income verification. Minors under 18 must have consent from a parent or guardian.

For those who live further than the local area, Job Corps offers a residential program, which includes dining and housing. In this way, they can help more people receive this hands-on technical training to build careers, just as Job Corps has been doing for nearly 60 years.

“We want to make sure this is something that is good for them as well, that it’s a good fit,” said Castro.

Train for a career and earn your high school diploma, for FREE at Westover Job Corps.

Call to get started 800-733-5627

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