Adults are gaining the skills they need for a successful career.
Located near Old Town Manassas, Johnny Apple Seed Association (JASA) offers training for individuals entering the workforce and those interested in a different industry.
The fully accredited trade school is preparing Kevon Johns to become an electrician.
“I like working with my hands, I like numbers … I thought that electrician would be a good trade for me,” said Johns, who hopes to eventually own an electric company.
Matt Hunt has also benefited from the program.
“I’d recommend Johnny Apple Seed to anybody who is struggling to find what they want to do in life,” Hunt said. “I was struggling for the longest time — I had a lot of dead-end jobs, and this opportunity fell into my lap and I took it and ran with it.”
John Chapman founded JASA in Fairfax four years ago after he and his family experienced hardship.
“I was going through homelessness, I was having a hard time finding a full-time job,” he explained.
Ultimately, Chapman began working at a food pantry.
“While working with them I started helping clients find a trade that they could get into and start working, because statistic show we’re low on trade workers,” he said.
After leaving the food pantry, Chapman established the trade school and partnered with Fairfax County and OAR NOVA, a non-profit.
JASA moved to Suite 1 at 8802 Sudley Road in Manassas a few months ago.
“The city’s been amazing. We partner with the chamber of commerce,” Chapman said. “We now have the facilities to offer electrical plumbing, [heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)], computer, and we’re looking into getting into culinary.”
Those interested in learning more about the non-profit or receiving a tour of the campus can call (571) 306-3066 or email info@jasainc.org.
