LCC mental toughness article draft

The Fresno EOC Local Conservation Corps (LCC) provides young adults with paid job training and educational opportunities. And right now, it is welcoming potential new corpsmembers with a Mental Toughness Orientation to provide insight on the program and what is involved. The orientation is three-hours over three days at the LCC facility in southwest Fresno.

During the first two days of orientation, corpsmember candidates will learn about the training programs offered at LCC and how they could open doors to a new career while helping to improve the environment. For example, some corpsmembers will train in wildfire prevention, working with power tools, and hiking dangerous terrain, while others will work in a lab to ensure surgical instruments are safe for use at hospitals. And those who train in the recycling department can learn how to operate heavy equipment, including a forklift, which is a highly desired skill. Corpsmember candidate Ahijah Williams came out for the orientation saying, “I want to know more about the LCC, and I am hoping to find out about training for a career in construction.”

The Mental Toughness Orientation includes workplace health and safety guidelines to explain potential job hazards. Corpsmembers may be required to wear goggles, gloves, masks, long sleeve shirts, pants, boots, and other protective gear at times, all of which are provided by LCC. Candidates can also learn about the LCC’s education component. Anyone who has not finished high school is required to attend the on-site YouthBuild Charter School of California (YCSC) to earn their diploma; meanwhile, high school graduates are encouraged to enroll in local college classes. The education and job training are free of charge, and all corpsmembers enrolled in the LCC will be paid while they are training out in the field, but not for time spent in the classroom.

Roberto Maciera, the Senior Supervisor in the Public Lands Division, says the LCC training can be intense, but he told corpsmember candidates that program leaders go above and beyond to help corpsmembers succeed. “We’re the ferry to move you from here — to where you want to be. We’re one of those agencies that want you to succeed. If you have experience and confidence in your abilities when looking for a job or promotion, you will have the upper hand. So, don’t be afraid to ask us questions. Everybody was new at something at one time.”

The final day of the Mental Toughness orientation involves interviews. Elisa Sgambellone, Assistant Director of the Local Conservation Corps, says, “There is a two-person panel comprised of LCC staff who ask the candidates questions about what they’ve learned during the orientation. Once they pass the interview, they are invited to the New Enrollment Orientation, which takes place the following day.” Ahijah was successful in his interview and is working to complete his enrollment documents. He is on track to become a corpsmember in the YouthBuild Construction program.

Mental Toughness Orientation is typically held twice a month, with the next two sessions scheduled for March 8 and March 22. Enrollees must be at least 18 years of age. Click here for more information on what it takes to enroll.

For media inquiries, please contact pr@fresnoeoc.org