Skills Center Graduates 151 as Career Training Leads to Job Offers for More Than Half the Class

The Raphael O. Wheatley Skills Center celebrated 151 graduates Wednesday evening, with more than half of the class already receiving job offers in their fields and speakers emphasizing the role of technical education in building careers, strengthening the workforce and helping students move beyond their circumstances.

Principal Mario Francis opened the 2026 graduation ceremony by pointing to the immediate value of the training graduates had completed. More than half of the class has already been offered employment in their area of expertise, he said, describing the outcome as evidence that career and technical education can produce quick returns.

The institute, Mr. Francis declared, “is not just granting degrees for individuals, but we’re also supporting the workforce.”

He also highlighted the class’s academic and technical achievements. Sixty-seven students graduated with high honors, while 12 received dual certifications. Graduates completed programs that prepared them as phlebotomists, emergency medical technicians, medical massage therapists, cosmetologists, barbers, HVAC technicians and in other trades and technical specializations.

Throughout the evening, speakers returned to the importance of resilience, adaptability and continuing to learn when life does not move according to plan.

“Life brings you a lot of challenges and disappointments and unexpected obstacles. Just learn to stay level in them,” Mr. Francis advised.