Quentin N. Burdick Job Corps Center Celebrates 30th Anniversary | News, sports, work

According to John Gruenberg, a Job Corps employee, the entire student community, employees and invited guests from the Minot community took part in the celebrations.

Just before the ribbon cutting, Stephanie Evans, director of Minot Job Corps, took the floor to thank guests and celebrate the occasion with a few words about the center’s successes.

“To 30 more” the group said as the ribbon cut by Jayden Damin, student body president, fell. Everyone cheered as they officially commemorated the 30th anniversary of the Minot Youth Career Center.

It’s really surprising that I’m here. I didn’t expect to be so involved when I came here. I didn’t expect anything special about this place. It’s an amazing place,” Damon said.

Ben Pifher/MDN The Quentin N. Burdick Job Corps Center celebrated its 30th anniversary on Thursday.

Damin has been working in the Job Corps for a year, and after graduating, he plans to start an apprenticeship with a carpenter. “This place is like a second chance for me. I really like it” he said, excited to represent the student body at this event.

Tom Ross, mayor of Minot and workforce development specialist for Job Corps, explained that Job Corps strives to develop an efficient workforce that can be a direct asset to employers. Ross said he works with employers to tell the Job Corps story and show them what happens at Job Corps. It also tells students’ stories about how to employ them and introduce them to the labor market to achieve success in adult life.

Ross also told some of the history of the Job Corps. He said that when the Job Corps Center was built, Quentin N. Burdick, it was decided not to build fences around the facility, as is the case in other places. “It was supposed to be for good neighbors.” he said.

Through his contacts, Ross said he found business owners who pay their employees well who talked to Job Corps students. “The ultimate goal is to get this information to students who then graduate and sign up for these positions.” he said.

One of the students, Evans, director of Job Corps, said it was her first time attending the ribbon cutting and it was exciting to celebrate the facility’s 30th anniversary. “Job Corps is a great program for young adults – to give them a second chance, … Job Corps is a successful program and can be a success for any young adult.” Evans said.

Students participating in the culinary program prepared a variety of tailgating dishes for event participants.

After this event, Catherine McDonough said she joined Job Corps because “I needed to fix my future. My dream is to go to France and build a restaurant. I came to Labor Corps to fulfill my dreams.” McDonough is taking computer skills classes at the office. “This is amazing” she added.