Caleb Dumas came to the Earle C. Clements Job Corps Academy to become certified in tile setting.

“I would be able to do it for a long time. And I like working with my hands, so I figured it would be a great fit for me.”

He says the training has been great, but the support from staff members is the biggest reason he’s done so well.

“I feel like you need staff to support the students, especially if they’re going through a stage in life where they are trying to figure out what they want to do with their life,” says Caleb.

Caleb’s tile instructor, Rob Guenthner, says Caleb has pretty much figured things out.

“He worked hard to get his driver’s license, he’s got his [high school] diploma, he’s finishing his trade, and he will have all the things that he needs to be successful.”

Plus, Caleb was invited to attend some specialized training for eight weeks in Maryland.

“The IMI program, the International Masonry Institute, cross-trains in a lot of different masonry trades,” explains Rob. “So, the opportunity came up for him to go to Bowie, Maryland, to our national training center, and cross-train in bricklaying and block laying and he jumped on the opportunity, and now he has three different trades that he can go into in the union or just in general. And he did fantastic up there. They were sending me pictures of his work. He trained in brick and block. The instructors were very impressed. One particular job he did they said they found no flaws whatsoever in the work.”

So, does Caleb have any advice for his fellow students?

“Remember what they came here for. Always keep the plan,” he says.

As for his future plans…

“I would like to start off being a tile finisher and work my way through the ranks. One day become a foreman, then become a contractor and possibly own my own business one day,” Caleb says.