Each week, staff at Wind River Job Corps nominates a student who has shown excellent behavior towards their academics and peers. To view all nominated students, click here.
Local Wind River Job Corps Student Takes Advantage Resources
Devon Cross is al local from Riverton who decided to take advantage of the resources available to him. Devon had heard from his dad who was a security officer here at WRJC that this could be a great opportunity for him. So, Devon did his homework, researched what Job Corps’ had to offer and decided to enroll in the program in July. Devon has been working towards his high school diploma and certifications in Heavy Equipment Operations.
Center Director Dr. Kristen Benson said, “This student has made the decision that he is going to have a positive look on life at Wind River and make sure he competes his trade to the best of his ability.”
Currently, Devon has completed his OSHA 10 training and is already certified on the forklift and front loader. Devon says, “My ultimate career goal is to be an Operating Engineer and be certified on as many pieces of heavy equipment as I can so that I can make over $48,610 a year. Once I am close to completing my trade, I will start applying for an apprenticeship, hopefully in our area. It will take me 2 years to complete my goal.”
“Devon will stop at nothing. His friendly demeanor is contagious and I have been impressed at how well he has finally adjusted,” added Center Director, Dr. Kristen Benson.
Congratulations Devon Cross, you are Wind River Job Corps’ Student of the Week.
WIND RIVER JOB CORPS serves up to 300 campus-based and non-residential students generally originating from the Rocky Mountain states. The center provides over 16 career tracks offered through eight vocational programs, including pre-apprenticeship opportunities. These programs have been determined and developed based on the current high-performing job market trends in the region. Included in vocational training are employability skills and community engagement. Wind River Job Corps is the newest of the 124 Job Corps centers located throughout the United States, opening in 2015. It is operated by the Alternate Perspectives, Inc. for the Department of Labor and is located at 4200 Airport Rd in Riverton, Wyoming.
JOB CORPS is a program administered by the United States Department of Labor. The program helps income-eligible young people ages 16 through 24 complete their high school education, trains them for meaningful careers, and assists them with obtaining employment. Job Corps has trained and educated over two million individuals since 1964. It is the largest nationwide residential career training program in the country and has been operating for more than 50 years.
At Job Corps, students have access to room and board while they learn skills in specific training areas for up to three years. In addition to helping students complete their education, obtain career technical skills and gain employment, Job Corps also provides transitional support services, such as help finding employment, housing, child care, and transportation. Job Corps graduates either enter the workforce or an apprenticeship, go on to higher education, or join the military.
API Alternate Perspectives Incorporated (API) is a certified small, woman-owned company with corporate headquarters just outside our nation’s capital. API’s mission is to help individuals and organizations achieve their goals and realize their dreams by providing them with new ways of thinking to create new ways of doing. API staff have extensive Job Corps experience in almost every aspect of the Job Corps program. The API Operating model begins with building a “positive normative culture” at each center defined by four norms: respect self, respect others, respect community, and strive for excellence. Students and staff at the Wind River Job Corps Center are expected to adopt and embrace these norms to learn, grown, and strive for continuous improvement. In addition to Wind River Job Corps, API operates the Westover Job Corps Center, and Shriver Job Corps Center, both in Massachusetts.