Additional Program Information

Developer and contact

Job Corps was created by the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. The federally funded program currently operates under the provisions of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Job Corps. Information on the program’s history and resources for program implementation are available from the Department of Labor website at http://jobcorps.dol.gov/about.htm.

Scope of use

Job Corps serves about 62,000 young adults each year. Since it began in 1964, the program has enrolled more than 2 million youth. There are currently 122 Job Corps centers located in 48 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

Description of intervention

Job Corps is a federally funded education and vocational training program for disadvantaged youth. The program serves young people, ages 16 to 24, most of whom lack a high school diploma or GED certificate. Participation is voluntary. Job Corps’ core services—academic instruction, vocational training, and residential living services—are provided through its centers. It operates on an open-entry and open-exit basis, with individualized and self-paced training and program services. Thus, enrollment in Job Corps does not have a fixed duration. The average Job Corps participant spends about eight months in the program and receives more than 1,000 hours of education and training.

After two to four weeks of orientation and skill and interest assessment, participants receive an individualized mix of vocational and academic instruction. Many participants enter Job Corps with poor literacy and numeracy skills. To address these deficits, Job Corps offers remedial education that emphasizes reading and math. In addition, academically qualified participants who lack a high school diploma are offered GED preparation classes. Job Corps’ vocational training prepares youth for work or further training, emphasizing the skills necessary to work in specific trades. The type and number of vocational training opportunities vary across Job Corps centers. A typical center offers specialized training for about 10 trades, preparing students for work as carpenters, masons, welders, electricians, mechanics, food and health service workers, and other professions. Upon completion of their education and training, Job Corps provides participants with job placement assistance.

Residential living services are a distinctive feature of Job Corps. Resident participants are housed in dormitories at the Job Corps center. In addition to room and board, these participants are offered counseling, health services, social-skills training, recreational activities, and a biweekly living allowance. Some centers offer a nonresidential version of the program in which participants receive all Job Corps services and supports but do not reside at the center.

Cost

According to study authors, Job Corps costs about $19,500 per participant. ⁴