Rocky VanNoy, with the West Virginia Clearinghouse, helps Kenneth “Honey” Rubenstein Juvenile Center Cadets learn about careers and financial aid. The event, located at the Center, was sponsored by the Region VI Workforce Investment Board.
DAVIS – Cadets at the Kenneth “Honey” Rubenstein Juvenile Center have the opportunity to be rehabilitated while they complete their education and help in the community.
On Monday, the cadets learned about some job opportunities that will be available to them upon graduation, and where to find financial help for technical programs as well as two and four year degree programs. The event was sponsored by the Region VI Workforce Investment Board, in collaboration with the Kenneth “Honey” Rubenstein Center.
Dan Dilly, Superintendent at the Rubenstein Center, said he was pleased that the Region VI Workforce Investment Board came to the Center for the job fair.
“We have worked with them a lot over the years,” Dilly said. “We had collaboration with Workforce and sent some kids to the Wood Technology Center in Elkins and they went through a program and received some safety equipment and training. They learned to fell trees and learned what it takes to work in the logging industry. We have worked with them and are grateful to have them.”
On Monday, folks set up at the Rubenstein Center from the local community colleges promoting jobs in the gas field.
“This gives the cadets the opportunity to find what jobs are available for them and where they can go to school to hone their technical skills,” Dilly said. “We have three vocational shops on grounds, but this gives them the opportunity to look at other fields if they are headed in that direction. We have building trades, auto mechanics and metal trades, or welding, here. If they work hard, they can become certified in those fields.”
Dilly said the goal for the students is to bring them in, have them learn basic skills including communication, and prepare them to go back out in the community and be a good neighbor. He said there are currently 51 cadets at the Rubenstein Center.
West Virginia AFL-CIO President Kenneth Perdue visited the Rubenstein Center during Monday’s event.
“I have been up here before talking to the young men here,” Perdue said. “I think it’s important that they understand what is out there for them, and what the world offers them. I think this is a good step into that arena. It allows them to know there are opportunities out there above and beyond what you typically read in the newspaper.
“The youth we are talking about here sometimes forgotten – but they are the next generation of workers – and anything we can do to help them is doing something for ourselves and for them,” Perdue said. “It’s known that once they get back in the community they get back with the same old crew that they were with, and bad things start to happen. If we can be influenced some way through this, it is to their advantage.”
Jim Rubenstein, Commissioner of West Virginia Division of Corrections, said one of the most important items for the cadets is that there are people who care and support them.
“There is training while here at the Rubenstein Center and other facilities, and hopefully, they will take advantage of that,” Rubenstein said. “From the folks who are here today, there are folks here to show that there are opportunities, and folks are willing to give them those opportunities. We want to stress what they are looking for in a good worker.
“I know from the juvenile to the adult system, there are drugs and addictions and prescription abuse,” Rubenstein said. “I think the most important message is everybody falls down – some people harder than others – but what got you here, there are opportunities, and hopefully they will look forward and not back, wallowing in self-pity.”
During the day, Rocky VanNoy, with West Virginia Clearinghouse, talked with cadets about careers and financial aid. Vendors included Bridging the Gap, Bricklayers and Allied Trades, Carpenters, Community & Technical College System of West Virginia, HRDF YouthReady, Inspiring West Virginia, West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services and WorkForce West Virginia.
The featured speaker for the event was Jamie Summerlin, a Marine from West Virginia, who journeyed across America in a 100-day, 3,452 mile trek to benefit wounded Veterans.
