Erek Ellery always knew that he was capable of achieving more in his life. Growing up in Utah, he was an avid outdoorsman but was never able to marry his love for the outdoors with a fulfilling purpose or career. After some searching and asking around, an old friend from high school mentioned Job Corps. 

“I decided to attend [Job Corps] because it seemed to be a very good opportunity and chance to refresh and start a career path.” 

Even after setting foot on the Weber Basin Job Corps Center, Erek had no expectation of what his Job Corps experience would be like. He found an environment full of support, long hikes in his beloved outdoors, and staff members who both encouraged him and challenged him at every step of the way.

“One of the biggest challenges I faced was learning how to deal and interact with all different kinds of people. Not everyone is as friendly as you want them to be. But knowing how to interact with so many different personalities really showed me a lot about patience and the leadership I knew I was always capable of.”

While studying Welding at the Weber Basin Job Corps Center, Erek earned his high school diploma from Salt Lake Community College. Erek was able to get hands-on career training while at Job Corps from multiple local businesses around Salt Lake City, beginning with cleaning massive tar vats and finishing with running his own welding jobs from start to finish. Eventually, Erek earned a full-time welding position after graduation. 

However, Erek had really grown to love the challenge and growth he had experienced at Job Corps so much that he ended up going back into the program (this time at the Anaconda Job Corps Center) to learn Advanced Welding. It was at this center that, thanks to an instructor who saw great potential in him, he decided to pursue a position with the United States Navy as a welding technician.

“I can’t even tell you how much time [my instructor] spent with me making sure I was set up with an amazing career when I finish Job Corps. He was a former Navy welder and expected 110 percent at all times and really helped me to keep the mindset of working as hard as you can, while progressing as much as you can. After hearing a few of his Navy stories and seeing how much fun he had, I started to get curious.”

Erek is currently in the middle of the Pacific Ocean while on deployment on the USS Nimitz. He credits his old friends and advisors and instructors at both the Weber Basin and Anaconda Job Corps Centers for helping him realize his potential and finding a true passion in his life.

“I am truly grateful for all of the amazing people I was able to meet, work and grow with every day thanks to the Job Corps program, one of the best decisions I have ever made.”