What started as a $17,000-a-year counseling job turned into a 30+ year mission to change lives.

In this episode of the iBuild America podcast, Lorraine Lane sits down with Jeff Barton, Senior Vice President at Management Training Corporation (MTC)—one of the most influential leaders in Job Corps.

Jeff shares how he stumbled into the program straight out of college… and never left.

But this isn’t just a career story—it’s a powerful reminder of what happens when people believe in people.

From mentoring future leaders to building partnerships that expand opportunity, Jeff opens up about:

• Why leadership development is critical to student success

• The importance of investing in people—not just programs

• How Job Corps continues to transform lives every single day

• And why calling it a “best kept secret” needs to stop

One moment you won’t forget:

A student tells Jeff, “Two weeks ago, I was sleeping in the backseat of a car… I love my room.”

That’s the impact.

If you’ve ever wondered what real workforce development looks like—or why it matters—this conversation will stay with you.

🎧 Listen now, subscribe, and be part of building a stronger America—one life at a time.