Cory Johnson had no job, no high school diploma, and no idea what he wanted to do in his life—until he walked through the front doors of the Philadelphia Job Corps Life Science Institute.

“Job Corps was very important to me because it gave me the opportunity to walk a new path. I think Job Corps works for those who come to use it for a stepping stone for their future plans.”

Cory says getting his education and training at Philadelphia Job Corps was hard work, but the positive campus environment made a big difference. “All the staff treated me very kindly. And they always gave me the same respect I gave to them.

Cory’s former supervisor and mentor,  Milton Polite, strongly believes that work-based learning (WBL) is key to student success.

“Yes, I think it’s a very good idea to give them WBL opportunities in Job Corps, because it’s really a job training facility. It really helps them a lot to prepare for the real world, when they get out there.”

Cory is currently working in building maintenance and is waiting to join the Army.

“I’m very excited to work as part of the logistics team, because it gave me the opportunity to work. Which by the way I have never done before. That showed me how to fill out a time card and how to follow directions from managers and supervisors. And, it showed me how to work as part of a team.”