CET, Riverside

Center for Employment Training (CET) was founded in 1967 amidst a time of heightened political and socio-economic activism that was occurring in the nation. A group of concerned citizens—among them founders Father Anthony Soto and Russell Tershy—organized to establish a job-training center for the working poor and low-income residents of the barrio “Sal Si Puedes” in Eastside San Jose, California.

In it’s early years, CET’s principal target population was migrant and seasonal farm workers who were suffering in poverty with inhumane job conditions and low wages with the goal of preparing these workers for stable, full-time, permanent jobs in industry. Over the past four decades, success with agricultural workers has motivated the organization to grow to over 30 centers nationwide, serving a number of other disadvantaged populations across the nation.

The mission of CET is based on a philosophy of self-determination. CET seeks to promote the human development and education of low income people by providing them with marketable skills training and supportive services that contribute to economic self-sufficiency.

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