Excelsior Springs Job Corps Center Celebrates National Apprenticeship Week

As National Apprenticeship Week wraps up, the Excelsior Springs Job Corps Center made significant strides with a career fair held last week. Numerous esteemed organizations participated including Local 518 Cement Masons & Plasterers, Heartland Sheets, Heartland Women in the Trades, North Kansas City Hospital, LPG Ventures, MAGNA Automotive Systems, City of Kansas City, Con Global, Great Jobs KC, Kansas City Police Department, US Army, Navy, Marines, and Border Patrol.

Adding to the festive spirit, Excelsior Springs also kickstarted their annual holiday celebrations this week. A highlight of the festivities was the parade led by JROTC students from the Job Corps Center, carrying flags adorned with holiday lights, a creative touch introduced by Commander Mark Rakestraw. Post-parade, the community converged at the historic Hall of Waters to relish cookies baked by the Job Corps Culinary Arts students, a cherished tradition. This year, an impressive batch of 2,400 cookies was prepared over three and a half days, ensuring ample treats for all attendees.

In a heartfelt tribute to Veterans Day, students and staff from Excelsior Springs Job Corps penned letters to U.S. military veterans, expressing gratitude for their service and the freedoms they safeguard. This initiative, organized by the Outreach Admissions and Career Transition Services team, was complemented by a fun-filled karaoke night, embodying the spirit of Thanksgiving.

The Job Corps program, administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, offers free education and vocational training to young individuals aged 16 to 24. Its mission is to enhance lives through vocational and academic training, fostering gainful employment and career advancement. The Excelsior Springs Job Corps Center, operated by Education and Training Resources (ETR) and MINACT, offers a wide range of programs including Advanced Transportation Service Worker, Building Construction Technology, and Culinary Arts, among others. ETR, with 30 years of experience in workforce development, and MINACT, a renowned provider of training and management services since 1978, jointly drive the center towards excellence and success.