As Job Corps celebrates its 60th anniversary today, Aug. 20, the program is proud to honor seven new Hall of Fame recipients. These recipients earned awards in four categories during a ceremony held during the Job Corps Leadership Summit last week, the culmination of a yearlong anniversary celebration.

The Leadership Summit, held from Aug. 13–15 in Washington, D.C., brought together 245 students and staff from more than 120 campuses nationwide to celebrate the 60th anniversary, meet with government leaders, develop their leadership skills and tour the nation’s capital.

“Every student, alumnus and staff member forms Job Corps’ legacy, proves the success of the program and paves the way for future students to thrive for the next six decades,” said Acting National Director of Job Corps Erin McGee. “All of the honorees epitomize Job Corps’ spirit. Our students are motivated to rise to challenges thrown at them and work hard to create a successful future for themselves.”  

This year’s awards and winners are below:

Hall of Fame: honoring a Job Corps graduate with five-plus years of career experience and who has obtained exceptional and employment-related achievements.

• Winner: Tyrone Johnson, a 2006 graduate of Mississippi Job Corps Center, who has since pursued opportunities in the United States Air Force and Meridian City Council, while also owning Prosperity Construction and founding Meridian Art

Successful Graduate: honoring Job Corps graduates who completed the program within the last two years and have successfully begun their career path.

• Winner: Armindo Ortiz Bailon, a 2019 graduate of the Oneonta Job Corps Center, who has recently been promoted to Foreman with Pro-Tel, an engineering company he has been employed with since graduating
• Winner: Bertha Liliana Hernandez, a 2022 graduate of the Weber Basin Job Corps Center, who works as an Administrative Assistant for the USDA Forest Service
• Winner: Scottei Montero, a 2022 graduate of the Excelsior Springs Job Corps Center, who repairs railcars as a Lead Carman for Canadian Pacific Railway

Staff Motivator of the Year: honoring a Job Corps staff member who is committed to supporting students in their career training, leadership and overall well-being.  

• Winner: Nancy Dean, who has been employed with the Phoenix Job Corps Center for 39 years, providing encouragement and support to students and her fellow staff members

Rising Star: honoring multiple Job Corps students who have excelled during their time in the program, establishing themselves as leaders in their training and community.

• Winner: Brandy Leighton, a student at the Gerald R. Ford Job Corps Center, who plans to attend Grand Valley University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice

• Winner: Dorian Jones, a member of the student government association with Bamberg Job Corps Center, who plans to pursue advanced training in information technology

   

August marks the 60th anniversary of Job Corps, the U.S. Department of Labor’s largest training program, serving more than 50,000 students a year. Since 1964, the program has trained and educated more than 3 million individuals. It currently offers training in more than 100 areas across 10 industries, providing valuable skills and career opportunities to young adults nationwide.

To learn more about Job Corps and its 60th anniversary, visit www.jobcorps.gov/60-anniversary.