Photo/Rocio Aguayo Inland Empire Job Corps center graduates listening to Congressman Pete Aguilar deliver his keynote speech during this year’s graduation ceremony that took place on August 20.

By Anthony Victoria,
Staff Writer

The places youth can go when provided opportunities at their doorstep is the key to building the narrative for the Inland region’s future, according to Congressman Pete Aguilar (D-Rancho Cucamonga).

“Congratulations graduates. This has not been an easy journey, so enjoy it,” Aguilar told approximately 100 students at the Inland Empire Job Corps’ commencement ceremony on Thursday August 20. “This is your foundation. This is what you need in order to succeed. This is the type of commitment that builds our story for future generations.”

With over 126 centers throughout the United States, the IE Job Corps’ students were only a few of thousands of students who took part in the day’s festivities.

The college-like, 17.5-acre site was opened in 1978 and houses over 300 students ages 16-12. Students receive training in carpentry, culinary arts, electrical, medical administrative assistant, office administration, ornamental landscaping, painting, plumbing and tile setting. The campus has dormitories, a library, computer labs, a swimming pool and a wellness center for basic medical needs. It provides free educational and vocational training for income-eligible young people.

Besides Aguilar, the event’s keynote speaker, San Bernardino City Mayor Carey Davis and Assemblymember Marc Steinorth (R-Rancho Cucamonga) were present to display their support.
Many of the graduates hail from low-economic and working class backgrounds. One student, Keanu Guerrero, 23, of Apple Valley said he chose to attend Job Corps because of his aunt’s previous experience as a student in the 1970s.

Photo/Rocio Aguayo
Congressman Pete Aguilar (D-Rancho Cucamonga) was the keynote speaker at this year’s Inland Empire Job Corps center graduation ceremony.

“The most rewarding part about being attending Job Corps was the experiences I shared with friends, as well as the skills I developed to become an electrician,” he said. Guerrero will be working for the National Core Renaissance Community (National CORE), where he intends to apply his skill set.

One other student, Derean Womack of Perris, recalls struggling to find a place to live before being informed by a friend to enroll in Job Corps.

“I knew it would be a good thing for me,” he said. “So I enrolled.”

A year later, Womack is now CPR, OSHA, and HBI certified. In addition he has certification in OPAC’s meaning typing, Microsoft Office programs, and filing. His future plans include pursuing his Associate of Science degree in Electrical Power Technology and transferring to UC Riverside to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering

“Everyone knows each other here,” he said. “It’s been like a family since we all live together.”

Rocio Aguayo contributed to this story.