At our Rancho Verde affordable housing community, eight determined participants took a major step toward transforming their futures, earning certificates of completion from the CORE Academy maintenance cohort.
For Valeria, a National CORE resident and recent graduate, the experience went far beyond the classroom.
“The hands-on training was a lot of fun and incredibly educational,” she said. “This is a steppingstone to something bigger. Everything I learned here, I can apply to my career, my future home. No matter where life takes me, these skills matter.”
Over the course of six intensive weeks, participants immersed themselves in real-world maintenance training, tackling everything from basic plumbing to drywall repair and appliance troubleshooting. The program didn’t just teach technical skills – it built confidence.
A mini job fair gave graduates a chance to polish their resumes, participate in mock interviews and mingle directly with National CORE team members, including seasoned maintenance technicians and managers who shared that they also started in an entry-level maintenance role.
Launched in 2022, CORE Academy continues to expand its reach. Led by the National CORE Director of Learning and Development Angel Rogers, the academy now offers pathways in digital tech and marketing – and is expanding into hospitality.
The Rancho Verde graduates now join a growing network of residents empowered through workforce development.
Congratulations to the newest graduates of CORE Academy!