Before joining JVS’s ApartmentWorks program, Jose Moreno had already gained some experience in maintenance. He previously worked at Daiso, a retail store, assisting his supervisor with various facility maintenance tasks.
Jose learned a great deal from his former supervisor, who was certified in both HVAC and electrical work. However, after his supervisor left the company, Jose began searching for new opportunities that would provide him with hands-on training and a pathway into electrical or HVAC work.
That search led him to JVS’s ApartmentWorks program, a cost-free eight-week training and certification program. Initially skeptical, Jose thought the offer sounded too good to be true, but he decided to take a leap of faith. To his surprise, the program was not only legitimate but incredibly supportive.
“Once I read the description of [the program], I immediately replied,” remembers Jose. “I wanted a certification to be an apartment technician,”
Shortly after starting, Jose began to feel ill and suspected he had the COVID-19 virus. Although his test came back negative, his symptoms worsened. He admitted himself to the emergency room, where doctors discovered a malignant tumor that had been growing for nearly nine months. Jose was diagnosed with cancer and had to withdraw from the program to undergo treatment.
After a long and difficult fight, Jose beat cancer and once he was healthy, he reapplied to the ApartmentWorks program.
Back in the program, Jose found the most valuable part to be the Certified Apartment Maintenance Technician book he received from the program, and the hands-on training. He also accessed supportive services through a grant provided by JVS SoCal, which helped cover out-of-pocket costs like work shirts and gas money. Jose was especially grateful for the full toolbox supplied to every student that was made possible by the program’s sponsor, Harbor Freight Tools.
Through ApartmentWorks, Jose was able to strengthen his existing skills while also learning new ones, including plumbing and other technical work. And thanks to the employer partners of the program, he was able to interview minutes after graduation at the hiring fair, which takes place at every graduation.
“[the hiring event] helps a lot and takes a lot of weight off” says Jose, “it’s not this worrisome where I’m like: ‘now what do I do?’” he adds. “Luckily (the instructors) provided us help with our resumes and even offered it to the employers beforehand so they can review them.”
Jose is incredibly grateful for the support from JVS SoCal and its sponsors. “Even though we want to grow in the career and get these certifications, sometimes we can’t be due to the cost,” he says. “Thank you so much because it might not look like it, but you’re really making a difference for us technicians”
If you’re inspired by Jose’s story and would like to help someone else achieve their dream, please donate today.