CLEARFIELD, Utah — After a recent settlement reversed a decision that would have closed Job Corps centers across the country, including one in Clearfield, work is underway to get the word out about the opportunities available.
Pharmacy Technician training is one program offered at Clearfield Job Corps. Pharmacist Brandon Sanders said pharmacy technicians are essential to keeping operations running smoothly.
"Techs come in, data entry, fill, help with the POS system, check patients out... compounding as well… that's what my technicians do," said Sanders, who works out of West Gordon Pharmacy in Layton.
Clearfield Job Corps, located just down the road, has been a reliable pipeline for Sanders' team.
"A lot of independent pharmacies rely on this as well," he said. "We do look for these programs to get students to fill their hours here, but while they're doing that, it gives us that one-on-one time with them. We get to learn and know them; they get to learn about us as well, and I will say a majority of my staff, or most of my staff, came from these programs."
True Watson graduated from the Clearfield Job Corps Pharmacy Technician program nearly a year ago, while also earning her CNA license through the program.
"It was nice to know that I had something that no one could take away from me. That could help me all throughout my life. Help go to school, pay for things, feel like, OK, I have stability. Not just stuck," Watson said.
When the Department of Labor announced plans to shut down Job Corps facilities nationwide last May, enrollment at the Clearfield center dropped. Watson stayed on through the uncertainty.
"It was kind of scary; I didn't know what was going to happen," she admitted. "I didn't really know if they shut down where I was going to go… but I really was determined to get high school done, so those first few weeks I was like, I got to crank out high school."
After graduating, Watson worked at a local pharmacy for a year before heading to college. Now she is encouraging others to explore the trades.
"I think it's a great opportunity for people if they use it to their best advantage."
