About CET

CET Corporate History

The Center for Employment Training is a community-based nonprofit organization that specializes in providing integrated job training, remedial education, vocational English instruction, and human development training. Established in San Jose, California in 1967, CET has become a large network of training centers throughout California and in Illinois, North Carolina, Texas and Virginia—all utilizing a common design.

Since CET opened its doors, over 110,000 people have been trained and placed in unsubsidized jobs. Founded by Father Anthony Soto and Russell Tershy, the first CET training center was opened in the barrio "Sal Si Puedes" ("Get Out if You Can") in San Jose’s east side. The staff of this small training program provided trainees with the skills needed to gain employment as machinists and placed them into jobs.

Anthony Soto served on CET’s Board of Directors until his death in 1997. For thirty- two years, until his retirement in 1999, Russell Tershy served as CET’s Executive Director. Today Hermelinda Sapien, who served as President/Ceo for twelve years, is the Executive Director.