Prepare with Job Corps

Are you a young person struggling to find your path in the world? Many young people find themselves without direction and the proper resources to help them define where they would like to go in their careers. If you count yourself among this group, Job Corps may be just what you need to set a course for your future success.

What is Job Corps?

Job Corps is an intensive educational program designed to provide all the tools necessary to educate and train young people ages 16 - 24 for the career path of their choosing.

Job Corps is designed to serve young people with the greatest need for assistance. For qualified applicants, Job Corps offers a full suite of career prep services and the tools you will need to live securely and safely while you focus on your education, including:

• Dormitory housing (for most locations)

• Free meals

• Clothing for career training/preparedness

• An allowance

• Medical care (including counseling and disability support)

• Educational supplies and books

• Access to recreational activities and student groups

• Childcare services (for some locations)

What can I learn at Job Corps?

Job Corps helps to prepare you for career success by offering a wide array of educational services and support. You can check out their specific program offerings here

In addition to offering education in a number of fields, The Job Corps program is divided into four periods of learning and training, which will make you prepared, not only for a single career, but to be successful in any career.

The four periods of Job Corps are as follows:

1. Outreach and Admissions
   You will meet with a Job Corps specialist who will help you learn more about the program, show you what career training programs are available, and help introduce you to what Job Corps is like.
   
   

2. Career Preparedness:
   Here, you will develop and commit to a plan for your career development and go through a period of training on basic job searching and success skills that you can apply anywhere.
   
   

3. Career Development: In this period you will apply yourself to an advanced set of professional skills so you can transition into being an independent and successful working professional.
   
   

4. Career Transition:
   You gain independence! During this period you’ll transition into an independent living situation and get a job, while still having the support of Job Corps staff, if you need it.
   

How Much does Job Corps cost?

For qualified applicants, Job Corps services are offered at absolutely no cost. Because Job Corps is designed to assist young people who are in the greatest category of financial need, these services are freely provided and all costs are covered by federal funding. This means you can focus on your studies without worrying about financial survival or having to pay back educational loans after you leave the program.

How do I know if I qualify?

If you are between the ages of 16 and 24 and have had one or more of the following circumstances impact your life, you may qualify for Job Corps:

• You are receiving assistance via any publicly funded welfare program; ex: SNAP (food stamps), TANF (Medicaid), etc.
• You currently qualify for a free/reduced price lunch in your public school
• You are currently homeless or in foster care
• Your current earnings put you at a poverty level of income

If accepted to the program, you will have to ensure not to do these things in order to remain eligible:

• Use illegal drugs
• Require court supervision
• Get into any legal trouble which may require a court date or incur fines
• Demonstrate behavioral issues which may disturb or interfere with other students’ experience of Job Corps
• Fail to have a reliable child care plan for any children or dependents for which you are legally responsible

Are you still unsure whether you qualify? Click here to take the Job Corps eligibility quiz to see if you qualify for this program. Then click here to let the enrollment specialists at Job Corps know that you would like to join this program.