Rashawn Williams was working at fast food restaurants in Colorado after high school but knew he wanted more. One customer changed his life after suggesting he check out Job Corps. Rashawn was already looking into programs and was very interested in firefighting. Once he found out about Collbran Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center and its free career training and firefighting program, he knew he had to go.
Rashawn was part of several programs at Job Corps, proving his ability to balance training and activities, be responsible, and lead others. He became dorm vice president, then president, vocation president, and Student Government Association president. He was also chosen by the center director to be one of the center’s gold coat leaders. These leaders are dependable, a good influence, and ready to step up to the plate when needed.
Rashawn was also involved with several activities. He was part of recreation and did activities on Saturdays, worked with Special Olympics, and more. He enjoyed being able to help the community and signed up for every event he could. Rashawn learned about the world, became more independent and responsible, and was an asset to the community. He also looked up to the coaches and the church group, who would take students off center on the weekend to explore, have fun, and attend church.
Rashawn appreciated the leadership opportunities he gained and was able to help other students. He not only completed his Carpentry training, but was in the Firefighting program, where he took classes, earned certifications, joined the camp crew, and participated in fighting fires. He did 2 years in the fire program and participated in 8–10 fires: controlled and wildfires. This experience helped him get a job after Job Corps.
Almost every staff member was a mentor to Rashawn. Because he was a top leader on center, he interacted with a lot of staff members. He keeps in touch with almost all of them today, along with almost all his friends.
When Rashawn graduated, his Job Corps mentors helped him secure a job, even taking him to interviews. With the relationships he built, Rashawn secured employment with the Denver Fire Cache. He was able to save up money for a car and then an apartment. He worked with the Denver Fire Cache for 6 months; but after the government shutdown, Rashawn pivoted to construction and was hired by E&K Drywall. They were eager to hire Rashawn for his skills and experience.
Rashawn was a Level 2 apprentice and was promoted to journeyman, which took him only a year and a half to do compared to the normal 4-year program. His company admired how he knew where materials and tools were on the job site. Rashawn was willing to learn and do overtime and was always responsible. He used the skills he learned at Job Corps to move up the ranks and succeed.
Rashawn now lives in Colorado Springs with his family and dogs. He is striving to become a foreman and then a superintendent, providing schedules and running the job site. He hopes to help other Job Corps graduates get hired.
“Any opportunity that’s thrown to you, you should be able to take it and run with it any chance you get.”
Graduated from Job Corps in: 2018 Employer: Journeyman; E&K Drywall Hometown: Colorado Phone: 720-987-0447 Email: rashawnwilliams1995@gmail.com Submitted by: Becca Sweredoski Notes:
Employment: Journeyman; E&K Drywall; Denver, Colorado
Salary: n/a
Source: Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service (Jesse Casterson, MA – Realignment Coordinator – Forest Service)