“Hey, Mr. Castle, I want to say how Flatwoods changed my life …”
Before Job Corps, Tyler Harris was getting into a lot of trouble. He graduated from high school but found himself making the wrong decisions.
“I’ve always been a hard worker, and I love working with my hands. I had no idea about this program, so I was really wanting to start a new life and get away from all the crap I was in.”
Tyler enrolled in Flatwoods Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center, about one and a half hours from where he grew up in Bluefield, Va. He worked hard and earned recognitions like Plumber of the Month and Best Student of the Month in his training. He also participated in dorm leadership. However, Tyler was still not in a good spot. He struggled with his addictions and didn’t take full advantage of Job Corps.
“I didn’t take advantage 100% of what Flatwoods had to offer, and that’s a big regret … to me it [Flatwoods] is better than any college or high school you could ever go to. Yes, it teaches you a trade, and that’s great; but it taught me about life and how to be a human and be responsible.”
During his six months on center, Tyler formed monumental relationships with Job Corps staff. Mr. Castle taught Tyler all about plumbing; but most importantly to Tyler, Mr. Castle taught him about life: how to care for himself and be responsible. He cared for Tyler and went out of his way to make sure Tyler was all right and succeeding.
“Mr. Castle deserves a Grammy award if they make that for Flatwoods.”
Another staff member, Mr. Rhodes, took Tyler under his wing and guided him. Mr. Rhodes did maintenance on center, and Tyler rode with him every day, learning everything he could. He also appreciated guidance from Mr. Clark, who stayed in the dorm, and Ms. Tickles, who was a counselor. Tyler keeps in touch with Mr. Castle and a few staff members.
“There’s not enough praise I can give that place … the whole program and the whole setup of it and the whole concept behind it, I can’t give it enough praise.”
Tyler graduated in June 2017 and was selected to go to Denison Job Corps in Iowa for advanced training. Unfortunately, his problems with drugs and alcohol followed him there, and he was eventually kicked out. Tyler always worked construction and got a job plumbing where he was from. He was doing it for a paycheck but wasn’t really learning or trying to succeed. He then transitioned to a job remodeling Walmart stores, which brought him many hours of traveling on the road.
Tyler decided to move from Bluefield, Va., to Florida. He went to rehab to get help and has been clean ever since. That’s when Tyler’s plumbing career really took off. He worked for Custom Air and Plumbing in Sarasota, Fla., for a few years and moved up tremendously fast. He was a foreman running his own jobs and maxing out on his pay at $32 per hour.
Tyler decided to take the Master Plumbers class to get his own license. After passing the exam, he started his own business, New Life Plumbing. He uses 100% of the skills he learned at Job Corps in his career. Beyond the hard skills, Tyler uses the interpersonal skills he learned to achieve his dreams. He matured and learned to appreciate the camaraderie and relationships he built at Job Corps, and the importance of taking advantage of the program and learning all you can, beyond the training.
“That place probably saved my life.”
In five years, Tyler wants to employ a minimum of five people and have five trucks running jobs. He wants to continue to grow his company and get into new construction, rather than just residential service. Tyler is doing well for himself with his growing business and wants to employ others to bring in more income, help others and provide benefits for them.
“Just to know what I know now about it … I think it’s [Job Corps] the best thing in the world.”
Graduated from Job Corps in: June 2017 Employer: Plumber/business owner, New Life Plumbing, Florida Hometown: Bluefield, Virginia Phone: 941-504-4617 Email: Th834552@gmail.com Submitted by: Becca Sweredoski Notes:
Source: Center submission