Journey Career Center - JCC
The mission of the Journey Career Center is to provide vocational education for students in Special Education. Students participating in our program will be provided hands on opportunities to develop a foundation of entry level job skills.
JCC Information
Journey Career Center (JCC) is a vocational training program for juniors and seniors receiving special education services from the Kern High School District. JCC is located at 6203 Allen Road Bakersfield, California 93314 next to Frontier High School in North/West Bakersfield. JCC is a new vocational site for the 2022/2023 school year which has replaced the Ruggenberg Career Center and will continue improving the vocational skill sets offered to students with exceptional needs.
The mission of the Kern High School District is to provide programs and services to allow ALL students to graduate from high school prepared to succeed in the workplace and at the post-secondary level. JCC provides students with opportunities to develop vocational skills to better prepare them for success in the workplace. The mission of the Journey Career Center is to provide vocational education for students in Special Education. Students participating in our program will be provided hands on opportunities to develop a foundation of entry level job skills.
The Journey Career Center with support from our community partners offers a wide variety of vocational training opportunities on campus and within the community. Each of these opportunities contain the necessary job skills needed to enter the workplace. Our students also have the chance to participate in job fairs which are designed to increase student awareness of employment opportunities including employer requirements.
Contact Information
Address: 6203 Allen Rd. Bakersfield, Ca. 93314
Phone Number: (661) 391-2960
Fax Number: (661) 391-2961
Office Hours
7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Staff
| Title | Name | |
| Coordinator | Cristian Lopez | [email protected] |
| Program Specialist | Alecia Sampson | [email protected] |
| Teacher | Jason Johnson | |
| Teacher | Charles Gannaway | |
| Teacher | Chris Herstam | |
| Teacher | Isaac Rocha | |
| Teacher | Ray Organ | |
| WorkAbility I Teacher | Lee Slezak | |
| Teacher | Miranda Baxter |
Comprehensive Campuses Attending JCC:
- Bakersfield High School
- Centennial High School
- Foothill High School
- Frontier High School
- Highland High School
- Kern Valley High School
- Liberty High School
- North High School
- Shafter High School
- West High School
Training Programs
Students attending JCC have the opportunity to be trained in at least two job areas each school year. Upon completion, a student should be able to focus on two or four potential job possibilities. Four out of the six teachers at JCC are dual credentialed (they hold an Education Specialist Instructional Credential and a Career Technical Education Credential).
- Automotive Technology: provides students with pre-apprenticeship skills in basic auto body, vehicle maintenance and vehicle detailing. The program is conducted in an auto shop environment as a production shop in conjunction with classroom presentations. All students are instructed in shop operations and procedures.
- Business and Finance – Hospitality: provides students the opportunity to learn about business management, entrepreneurship, advertising, and other related career opportunities with a focus in the area of hospitality. Students develop work-based learning skills, focus on personal and professional finances while learning how to run a successful business.
- Culinary Arts: provides students the opportunity to learn about entry-level positions in the food services industry. Students are trained to perform an array of tasks needed to function in a restaurant setting. The class operates as a restaurant three days per week (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) during the hours of 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. Students gain experience in safe practices of food preparation in our industrial kitchen.
- Maintenance & Operations: Intro to Construction and Welding: provides students the opportunity to investigate an exciting and lucrative career in the construction and welding pathways. This class introduces students to a wide variety of job opportunities including agriculture, construction, fabrication, maintenance & operations, manufacturing, and much more. Students learn how to operate a variety of hand tools in a safe and efficient manner. Instruction includes an emphasis in painting, furniture/wood repair, plumbing, electrical, cutting, grinding, and welding various types of metals using different methods. Lay-out, blue-print reading, shop safety and discipline practices are emphasized daily. Many local businesses and community members support this program by providing students the opportunity to gain practical hands-on experience in a variety of real-life working environments.
- Retail Manufacturing: provides students the opportunity to develop the skills necessary for entry level positions in the retail industry. Students perform a variety of tasks including embroidery, heat press transfer, laser engraving, stocking shelves, building end displays, and providing customer service while maintaining a safe and organized working environment. Students also learn merchandising and sales techniques. Many local businesses and community members support this program by providing students the opportunity to gain practical hands-on experience in the retail industry.
- Computer Technology: provides students with basic entry-level skills related to the field of information technology. They learn and develop these skills utilizing small/large group interaction, lab training, and cooperative group learning activities. Students also learn computer hardware, operating systems responsible for peripheral management, networking essentials, mobile device operation, basic equipment installation, equipment diagnosis methods, and software programs including Google Suite. A focus is placed on the necessary electronic fundamentals to understand and service basic computer systems as well as mobile devices. Client service skills are taught to meet the needs of customers in a proactive manner.
Program Information
- Students enrolled at JCC are Juniors & Seniors with a current IEP.
- Students are provided the opportunity to earn various certificates to display their skillsets and workplace safety practices prior to stepping into a workplace.
- Students attending JCC have the opportunity to be trained in at least two job areas each school year.
- Students learn the required functional academic skills prior to completing various job tasks.
- Students are provided the opportunity to explore post-secondary education and training options, develop a resume, complete a master job application, and participate in mock interviews.
- Transportation is provided by the Kern High School Transportation Department from the students home school to and from JCC.
WorkAbility I
The mission of WAI is to promote the involvement of key stakeholders including students, families, educators, employers, and other agencies in planning and implementing an array of services that will culminate in successful student transition to competitive, integrated employment (CIE), lifelong learning and quality of life.
WAI is a state funded school-to-work program that provides comprehensive pre-employment training, employment placement, and follow-up for high school students in special education who are making the transition from school to work.
WAI is designed to promote career awareness and exploration while students complete their high school education program. WAI provides students with opportunities for job shadowing, paid and non-paid work experience, support and guidance from vocational personnel.
The WAI program offers students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) the opportunity to complete their high school education while also obtaining marketable job skills. WAI provides secondary students with an understanding of job seeking and job keeping skills.
Our WAI staff collaborates with over 100 business/community partners to provide subsidized and unsubsidized placements for junior and senior special education students in the community. They also place students in the adult programs that are ready to work independently.
WorkAbility I is funded by a grant from the California Department of Education Special Education Department.
Teacher Coordinator for WorkAbility I
Name: Lee Slezak
Email: [email protected]
Jennifer Anderson - Special Education Instruction Director
Jim Bennett - SELPA Director
Holly Mell - Special Education Alternative Programs Director