DJJ Opens New Job Training Center in Columbia

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) —The Department of Juvenile Justice’s new house is not a home.  In fact, state officials want it to be a facility young inmates only use as they pass through on their way to success.

DJJ opened its Job Readiness Training Center in Columbia today.  DJJ Director Margaret Barber was joined by Gov. Nikky Haley, Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt and others to unveil the facility, which has been refurbished. Officials say the center will provide life and job skills classes and is part of the agency’s efforts to prevent future crime. They also hope the center will help the state’s youth who are in trouble with the law be productive members of society.

Currently incarcerated but on a path to success, Maximiliano Rodriguez showed off a prize-winning steel statue combining Carolina’s and Clemson’s team logos.  He says the life skills he learned at DJJ taught him to dream set goals and learn how to be successful.

DJJ wants to partner with the business community to provide volunteer instructors for the classes.  Classes will be taught on resume writing, interviewing skills, dressing for success, and proper nutrition,  If interested, call 803-896-9518.