Center for Employment Training Opens Doors for Tours and Ice Cream

On Thursday, Aug. 20 the Colton community got the scoop on what the Center for Employment Training has been up to since its opening in May. The school is a non-profit and enrolls students at half the price of traditional vocational schools. Pamela Dean assists graduates in training related placement. “I cold call, but it's mostly referrals. If I meet someone who knows somebody, that’s all I do, I just knock on doors,” Dean said. Students were excited to open up about their personal journey, like Diego Caviero, who didn't know what he wanted to major in before coming to the CET. He ultimately found his niche in building homes. "I'm in the green building instruction skills program," Caviero said. "I walked into the classroom and there was a big building that was being built from scratch. Now I’m feeling like this is changing my life; not only am I learning carpentry, but I’m also learning electrical, I'm learning plumbing, I’m learning skills you need to survive," he said. Chris Evila found redemption after being on parole. "I'm taking the truck driving class. I'm on parole and these people at CET are helping me very much brightening up my future," Evila said. Among some of the programs that CET offers are welding, green construction building, truck driving, automotive specialist, accounting and computer technologies. The center also helps students obtain their GED while they are enrolled in the program for free. All the programs offer hands-on learning experience and lifetime employment assistance to its graduates. The center does not advertise. According to officials, they get all their students through word of mouth and community outreach like the ice cream social. For more information on CET and its programs or information on its other 17 locations, visit cetweb.org or call 1-800-533-2919.