Job Corps is a career training program for students who age 16- 24 years old. It is a program sponsored by the United States’ Department of Labor that gives training and technical skills development courses to 60,000 economically challenged youth every year. Job Corps was established in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson as part of his program called “War on Poverty”.

Job Corps participants are high school drop- outs, those who completed high school but lack resources to pursue career training, students who have completed initial college course work but unable to continue their education and people who have or don’t have work experiences.

Job Corps students learn three major areas: academic education, career and technical skills as well as employability skills development. Its main goal is to produce literate, technically-equipped and productive employees for America’s workforce.

A student can enroll into the program as long as he or she is at least 16 years old but not more than 24. Also, they must pass the income requirement and is a U.S citizen or a legal resident.

Job Corps participants will receive education about their chosen trade, a high school diploma (for those who haven’t), job placement assistance and career counseling for up to 12 months after graduation. During the program, students will receive monthly allowance depending on the time stayed in the program. The longer you stay, the higher the allowance is.

This program offers hands- on training on more than 100 various trades such as construction, business and finance services, health care, information technology, hospitality, manufacturing, automotive and many more. As for those who have high school diploma, Job Corps will help them in preparing for college with their partnership with the local colleges. The program also offers courses for English learner students. Social skills, employability skills as well as courses in independent living are also offered to prepare the students from school to workplace transition.