Columbia Basin Job Corps students job shadow lawmakers

OLYMPIA — Two Columbia Basin Job Corps students job shadowed Rep. Judy Warnick-R Moses Lake, and Rep. Bill Hinkle, R-Cle Elum, recently.

Students Pamala Clark and Devin Clark traveled to Olympia to meet with the lawmakers.

Pamala joined Job Corps in June 2009 and trained to be a pharmacy technician. She applied to Big Bend Community College for more training and plans to take the National Certification Exam for her field.

“I am pleased to have Pamala here today,” stated Warnick. “The Job Corps has an important role not only in providing career advancement for students, but also in our communities.”

Pamala accompanied Warnick while attending committee hearings, a radio interview and meetings with other lawmakers.

Devin joined Hinkle for the day attending a radio interview, a public hearing in the House Health Care Committee and went to Arts Day in the state Capitol Building.

“It was a pleasure to meet Devin and talk to him about his goals and his future,” stated Hinkle. “I know that this experience will add to what he’s already received from the Job Corps in strengthening his resolve and increasing his self-respect and esteem.”

Devin and Hinkle share their experience as masons. Since joining Job Corps, he earned his GED, obtained OSHA Respirator Certification and is completing his career technical training.

During the day, Job Corps student Johanna Connor briefly visited the office of Sen. Janéa Holmquist, R-Moses Lake, to learn about the lawmaker. Connor completed a nursing assistant program and applied to Big Bend Community College since joining Job Corps.