JVS alum Shamar is a state-licensed Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator at EBMUD.
When Shamar enrolled in a welding class at his local community college, he wasn’t just learning a new skill—he was searching for a lasting career. After years of working in nonprofit programs and restaurant management, Shamar completed an adult education program designed to help service industry professionals start new careers in banking. Although the job offered connections and possibilities for advancement, Shamar still felt dissatisfied.
“I hated it pretty quickly and realized that it wasn’t a great career fit,” Shamar recalls. “But I had met some people in the trades while working at the bank, and that got me interested in exploring community college courses.”
Shamar continued to work at the bank during the day while taking machining and welding classes in the evening. In 2022, a coordinator from JVS’s Skilled Trades programs visited his class to present opportunities. The program offered exactly what Shamar was looking for: hands-on training and a clear roadmap into apprenticeship-track roles with top utilities providers in the Bay Area.
For Shamar, the transition into JVS’s program was seamless. “It felt like the perfect fit,” he says. “The schedule worked, the training made sense, and for the first time, I saw a real pathway to a career that excited me.”
Through the JVS program, Shamar gained far more than technical skills. He strengthened his interview and resume-writing abilities, refreshed his math skills, and practiced for the rigorous physical exam required to qualify in the water and wastewater industry. “Those supports were absolutely critical,” Shamar emphasizes. “It had been years since I’d done algebra, and having a chance to do a dry run of the physical test meant I wasn’t blindsided when the real thing came around.”
That preparation paid off. Shamar applied for multiple roles with East Bay Municipal Utilities District (EBMUD) and was ultimately hired as a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Apprentice—a permanent, union-backed position with strong pay and benefits. Now in the third year of his apprenticeship, he is a state-licensed operator learning the final pieces of the treatment process before advancing to a journey-level position. His day-to-day work involves monitoring plant operations, troubleshooting issues, conducting preventative maintenance, and collaborating with lab and maintenance teams.
“It’s a really fun job,” Shamar shares. “There’s a close community of operators and maintenance staff, and we’re all working together to protect public health and the environment. I can see myself doing this for decades to come, and at some point, I’d like to pay it forward by helping the next cohort, the way others helped me.”
Looking back, Shamar credits JVS not only for opening the door to his new career but also for building a sense of community during a challenging transition. “I’m still in touch with many people from my cohort. We supported each other, motivated each other, and celebrated each other’s wins,” he says. “That community is what makes JVS special.”
For people considering enrolling in the program, Shamar says it’s worth the effort. “It’s not always easy, and there will be challenges along the way. But you’ll discover what you’re capable of and open doors you never thought possible. JVS gave me a pathway to a stable career and the middle class.”
