The United States Department of Labor’s Job Corps has been on the forefront of this declared battle since its’ inception in 1964 under the Economic Opportunity Act. So much so, that more than 1.9 million “at-risk”, “economically challenged” and “underserviced youth” have not only attended a training site, but several have gone on to obtain gainful, lawful, life-sustaining wages and employment.

Moreover, the Cassadaga Job Corps Academy has taken the services and training the Dept. of Labor and Job Corps expects for their students to receive — and took it up about 100 notches; by streamlining the concept of: from books to the classroom, then to workforce-readiness, and onto an actual job offer with a new, highly innovative program, called the Reverse Job Fair.

“The goal of this program is to have our students with a formal job offer in their hands, before they graduate from our Job Corps Centers and immediately transfer into the workforce,” said Paul Dunn, the chief executive officer for Dynamic Educational Systems, Inc. and Dynamic Workforce Solutions who runs and manages the Cassadaga Job Corps Academy and another site, on behalf of the U.S. Dept. of Labor.

The Reverse Job Fair- allows perspective employers to watch the students in action, and if they choose to…conduct an interview, on the spot, with a potential job/ worker who is, highly skilled, and formally trained and educated. Moreover, as evident by the sheer number of potential employers, company owners, trade union representatives and human resources managers for national and local companies who attended this event, was well received by all.

William “Willy” Brown, the center director for the Cassadaga Job Corps Academy speaks to potential employers, company owners, labor trade union representatives, human resources representatives and project managers prior to taking a tour and the start of the Reverse Job Fair, held at the U.S. Department of Labor’s Center on Thursday.

“It’s about streamlining the process for potential employers to watch; ask questions; observe the application of a potential workers learned trade/skill instantaneously; and to make or follow up later, with a real job offer,” said Dunn. “Another goal is to actually have our students who are from anywhere between New York City and California, to land a job right here and become part of this local community.”

Political leaders, in Jamestown and surrounding cities, have long decried and have had serious lamentations about how college educated and skilled-labor trade students in our area, have sought out an education or a formalized training program, then never return to the Pearl City, or any of the surrounding municipalities. Thus, creating a “brain” and “trade” vacuum here.

“It takes a village to raise a child,” said William “Willy” Brown the Cassadaga Academy director. “We want to be seen as an asset for our surrounding communities, we’re a team player and we’re part of this community.”

Moreover, a little known fact about the flexibility and customization that the Cassadaga Center and all Job Corps Centers –for that matter– can offer, may be viewed as–highly lucrative by some.

“If you’re a perspective employer and you want our students trained on a specific tool, a specific skillset or system- we can customize our current training programs to ensure we’re sending you ‘ready-to-work’ employees,” added Brown. “Workers who we’ve trained and customized to your preference and can possibly save you money on having to train them further.”

Lazaro Morales a native of New York City and now electrician student at the academy heaped praise upon the training program, food and housing and the potential enter an honest and lucrative career field because of the training, support and services he’s receiving at the U.S. Dept. of Labor’s Cassadaga Job Corps Academy.

Furthermore, as reported previously by The Post-Journal, the Cassadaga Academy also offers potential students: free room and board, recreational opportunities, advanced training opportunities, help obtaining drivers license, high school or G.E.D diplomas, workforce development opportunities (on-the-job-training partnerships) Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test prep, medical and dental services, mental health counseling and much, much more. Additionally, some of the dormitories are modern, state-of-the-art, facilities which offer private bathrooms, walk-in closet space and are climate controlled and have a plethora of recreational spaces within them.

“I’ve haven’t been here that long, but I love this place,” said Lazaro Morales a native of New York City and now electrician student at the academy. “We eat good, I’m learning an amazing skill which is marketable and pays well. Plus, we have a lot of time for fun when we’re not in school.”

Moreover, some current students have lofty plans for continuing educational goals.

“I’m in the Certified Nursing Assistant program now,” said Janascia Vincent, a New York City resident. “But when I graduate, I plan on staying here and transferring to the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program, then to Jamestown Community College for the Registered Nurse (RN) program.

It should be noted that another benefit or offering for students at the Cassadaga Job Corp Academy- is an agreement with JCC to help students transition from Job Corps skill-fields to collegiate academia.

Furthermore, as previously reported by The Post-Journal, Brown has reinforced, again, that he, his staff and the Job Corps commitment to helping “at-risk” students aged 16-24, achieve their dreams, goals and desires to become self-sufficient citizens is within their grasp. However, students and potential student’s must push, fight and not give up.

“The biggest thing is don’t give up,” said Brown. “There’re people who are willing to fight for you, push you and advocate for you. However, you must have some skin in the game… don’t quit.”

For those interested in finding out more about the U.S. Cassadaga Job Corps Academy call or to schedule a tour call (716) 852-0092 or visit them on the web at https://cassadaga.jobcorps.gov/

If there ever were a team of super-heroes…dedicated to eradicating poverty, advocating for “at-risk” and “underserviced youth” along with lifting and elevating those whom maybe predisposition for a life of nothing but uphill battles, poverty and despair- than the U.S. Job Corps, DESI and the Cassadaga Academy have become America’s new Justice League.