Job Corps welcomes International Visitors
The Job Corps Regional Director, Walt Hall, and William Houston, Cleveland Job Corps Center Director, welcomed seven emerging business leaders from Portuguese-speaking African nations on September 18th. The visitors met with representatives of the Cleveland Job Corps to learn about workforce development programs. This international group is part of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitors Leadership Program and is being hosted by the Cleveland Council on World Affairs, a local nonprofit that aims to bridge the gap between the local and international communities.
When the International Guests arrived at Cleveland Job Corps Center they were greeted by the Cleveland Job Corps Center’s Student Ambassadors, and then escorted to the Conference Room. Mr. Houston greeted the visitors, introduced his staff, and went on to explain that Job Corps is a no-cost education and career training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor that helps trainees ranging in age from 16 – 24 improve the quality of their lives through career, technical and academic training. Mr. Houston continued to explain the programs and showcase the Student Leaders' vocational training program and other offerings.
Michael Salazar, Cleveland Job Corps Center’s Deputy Director spoke about the teaching methodology and educational standards. Michael Taylor, the Business and Community Liaison spoke about our business relationships throughout the community. The Cleveland Job Corps Center has partnerships with the Cleveland Clinic Hospital, University Hospital, Northeast Sewer District and Lincoln Electric. They are looking forward to expanding their relationships in the business community by hosting tours and meeting with community stakeholders.
The African delegation was accompanied by three interpreters and there were several questions regarding the cost of the program and what percentage of individuals graduating from the Job Corps Center were college bound. There was a lively discussion that ensued for the next hour.
The meeting in the conference room was highlighted with the tours throughout the facility including the dormitories. The student housing was of special interest because several members of the IVLP program were curious about Vocational Training program having residential living as a part of their workforce program. The tour included the Cleveland Job Corps Center offices, classrooms, and vocational training facilities.
These visitors, part of the International Visitors Leadership Program, will be in the United States for three weeks to visit multiple cities as part of our public diplomacy initiatives. The International Visitors Leadership Program, within the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, is the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange program. The program connects current and emerging foreign leaders with their American counterparts through short-term exchanges to build mutual understanding between our nations. For more information about the Cleveland Council on World Affairs and their participation in this program, please email rouellette@ccwa.org.
Michael Taylor
...