Patrick Shaw came to the Cleveland Job Corps Center (CJCC) in June of 2014.
He graduated from Jackson High School in 2013. After graduation, Shaw
worked part-time at a pizza shop until he came to the realization that this would
not provide him the career growth he was looking for. He wanted to be able to
support himself in a career that would provide growth, and earn a wage that
would provide him a comfortable lifestyle. One of Shaw’s goals it to one day
own a home. With his mother working full time, Shaw wasn’t able to practice
driving as much as he wanted and was unable to obtain his license. Shaw felt that
he would need a driver’s license to secure a good job.
Shaw heard from a friend, that Job Corps is a great place to acquire the things he
was looking for. With a passion for building and engineering, Shaw knew instantly
that the construction training program was the one for him. After exploring
each of the construction trades, Shaw settled on the bricklaying class as he saw it
as a form of “old art” and was interested in putting his creativity to work while
gaining knowledge. While in training, Shaw really enjoyed the comradery of his
fellow peers and instructor, “I came to see them as family” said Shaw. After
Shaw finished the bricklaying trade, he enroll in a Cuyahoga Community College
(Tri-C) Welding course through Job Corps. Patrick had some exposure to welding
in high school and felt that a welding certification would increase his chances
of obtaining gainful employment. Patrick is very proud of the numerous certifications he has earned on center, not to mention receiving his driver’s license.
This busy and very driven young man, gained employment with Cleveland Marble
on January 25, 2016 cutting brick pavers for a paver project in Cleveland’s
Public Square. While working, Patrick plan to taking night classes at Tri-C to
obtain a welding certification. After Job Corps, Patrick plans to continue to work
and pursue a business management degree, in the hopes of owning a company
one day. Patrick always lives by the adage that, “No matter how many times
you fall down, as long as you pick yourself back up again, you will always
end up a winner in the end.” He hopes that this message will help others attain
the strength that he learned, so that they can make their dreams come true as well.
Patrick is in high demand with several employers reaching out to him.