Gulf Coast Trades

At Gulf Coast Trades Center (GCTC), a long-time CTF,  taking the C-Tech program is a privilege.   Gulf Coast Trades is a detention center for adjudicated youth.  Inmates can study for their GED, and learn a trade.  They can accommodate six to eight students in each C-Tech  class, and there might be as many as 20 that apply for it.  So they’ve made the C-Tech program something you have to earn.

Prospective students must have fulfilled all their other obligations at Gulf Trades.  GCTC wants people who are motivated, not just bored with whatever else they’re doing.  Recently candidates had to write a two-page essay on why they wanted the training and what they proposed to do with it. It’s also true that, “money is a great motivator”. Inmates realize what a boost in earning power the solid skills provided by C-Tech training can bring.  That’s the prime reason they’re so eager to sign up.

After selections are made, it’s a good bet the students want to be there and want to learn.  That makes the class more beneficial and more pleasant for everybody. 

The Gulf Coast Trades Valley Aftercare Center has a different approach.  This is an out-of-school facility whose students go home at night.  They will be offering C-Tech PREP training as part of the center’s building trades training.  They were able to bring the program on board thanks to a Department of Labor grant. 

Training in various trades goes along with GED classes, Life Skills classes and Job Development at Valley Aftercare.  They seek to provide their students with the best possible start in life.  That’s one reason the C-Tech program fits right in.