GTCC’s Access to Achievement program, opens doors for Toribio in construction industry

“The virtual reality helped me to set up and prepare for the class,” said Toribio. “It’s like you are there. They put you in a practice and when you finish the practice, you can take the real class."

Jose Toribio knew he was interested in pursuing construction, first in the classroom and then as a career, but didn’t know how to make it happen.

Then he was introduced to Access to Achievement and virtual reality career exploration at Guilford Technical Community College. Now he’s well on the way to bringing his construction dream to life.

Access to Achievement is a state-funded workforce training program designed to empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to achieve greater independence through education and career readiness. The program provides everything a student needs to build confidence, enhance job skills, and open doors to meaningful job opportunities.

Although Toribio met the requirements for Access to Achievement, he first had to make sure construction was the right fit and better understand a job site. That’s where Tammy Maddox, Access to Achievement advisor and coordinator at GTCC, stepped in.

She assisted Toribio in completing a construction pilot program using virtual reality allowing him to safely immerse himself in a construction environment. He learned about different types of construction sites, common tasks and responsibilities and many other facets of on-the-job construction work to help prepare him for the workplace.

“The virtual reality helped me to set up and prepare for the class,” said Toribio.  “It’s like you are there. They put you in a practice and when you finish the practice, you can take the real class. It was a lot, but I managed to keep up. I was able to understand things because of the virtual reality.

“It was a little bit hard, but I had someone to assist me throughout the course. Most of the times I just figured things out on my own, but if I couldn’t, I asked and they helped,” Toribio explained.

Maddox said the program provided Toribio with “hands-on training, personalized support, and inclusive learning experiences that build confidence, enhance job skills and open doors to meaningful employment opportunities.”

Toribio said Maddox has been key to his recent successes.

“She looked for the potential for me to learn. She helped me a lot, as to what my potential is, what I wanted to be,” said Toribio.

After he completed this 20-hour virtual reality course, he decided to enroll in GTCC’s construction boot camp.

During the 10-week boot camp, Toribio learned his way around a carpentry shop, tackled the operation of construction equipment and learned new skills.

“I had to go to the shop, build projects, cut the wood with a power saw,” recalled Toribio. “The teacher really helped me but saw I could do it myself. I was a fast learner.

“He got me to the point where I could measure and cut.”

Toribio recently graduated from the construction boot camp program at GTCC. He has also taken classes in each sector of the college, starting in curriculum and then classes in adult education to assist with the skills he would need in construction work.

Toribio said he will continue to take classes at GTCC, but the construction boot camp helped him achieve key goals.

“I want people to be able to rely on me. I want to help others [by doing] the things they need me to do.” he said.

GTCC’s Access to Achievement program offers virtual reality career exploration training in hospitality, health science, aviation, construction, automotive, diesel technology, electrical, skilled trades and mechanical industrial maintenance.

For more information on Access to Achievement at GTCC, visit gtcc.edu/student-life/access-to-achievement/index.php.