Fresno EOC Opening Doors in Rural Fresno County to a Career in Construction

Gilbert Guzman is one of three students who graduated from the recent pilot program. He lives in the City of Firebaugh, about a 15-minute drive from Mendota. The Fresno State grad says he earned a degree in criminology in 2019, but has struggled to land a job as a probation officer. In early 2022, a flyer about the VAC program caught his eye. “I have always had an interest in home renovations. So, this gave me the opportunity to learn about the construction trade. I want to get into a career instead of a seasonal, or part-time job.”

VAC Facilitator Micke Hughes says Gilbert was always attentive in class, very punctual, consistently scored high on his exams, and his future looks bright. “The positive impact this program can have is that it can get people into high-paying jobs, and they won’t have to worry about living paycheck to paycheck. In addition, it puts you in a position to provide for your whole family, as well as earning medical and retirement benefits.”

This 12-week pilot program was held at the Mendota City Yard. Trainees received in-class instruction as well as job site experience. They had the opportunity to learn about demolition work, plastering, and how to build gravel pit boxes. In addition, they graduated with nine certifications, including first aid, work zone safety, flagging, hazardous waste, OSHA 10, and blueprint reading.

The training also teaches soft skills. Micke says, “Our classroom curriculum is called “Thinking for a Change.” And that’s exactly what it is. It teaches lessons based on social and work interactions, from how to negotiate to conflict resolution. So, what we try our very best to do is guide the mindset of the students in a positive way, so they know how to conduct themselves in the workplace and in life. We not only help students find a job but learn how to maintain it and grow as well. So, this program is a life-changer.”

Gilbert says, “It feels great because I am a strong believer that knowledge is power, and if I can learn more skills and have hands-on experience, that just makes me more competitive in the job market. Plus, getting the certifications will help immensely with job opportunities.”

This pilot project, funded by the State of California’s Department of Community Services and Development, is allowing Fresno EOC VAC to examine what it will take to expand and launch future VAC trainings in rural communities.

VAC is accepting applications for its next cohort in Fresno, which starts June 21. Trainees must have reliable transportation, must be at an 8th grade level for reading and math, and they must be at least 18 years old. For more information about the VAC Program, call (559) 263-1110.