One of the ways that at-risk youth can find stability is through enrolling in Job Corps. Every year, around 50,000 high school dropouts, homeless youth, young parents, students who have learning disabilities, and former foster youth who have aged out of the system will enroll in Job Corps. This is because Job Corps provide these young men and women with an opportunity to start a successful career and find their independence.
At-Risk Youth Build Skills Through Student-Driven Instruction
The people behind Job Corps realize that a cookie-cutter approach to success for their students is what caused many of these youth to fall behind their peers in the first place. Therefore, Job Corps offers their students a wide variety of academic options and career opportunities that are tailored to fit their unique needs.
The students in Job Corps have access to online high school programs, charter schools, co-enrollment programs with community colleges and local schools, and vocational training in over 100 different trades in 11 massive industries.
Employer-Driven Curriculum Helps Launch Careers
Job Corps has been successfully helping students enter the middle class for over 50 years. It takes a demand-driven approach to workplace development. At each Job Corps center, there is an industry advisory council that works to make sure that the trades they are offering at the center are matching local and regional career needs.
The curriculum of these different trades will match the skills that employers are looking for. Job Corps centers additionally utilize internships to provide their students with on-the-job experience, so they can learn directly from employers. This helps them develop the skills they need to be successful.
24/7 Residential Care Helps Transform Lives
Job Corps also teaches at-risk youth life training skills by providing a complete residential experience. There is zero tolerance at Job Corps for alcohol, drugs, and violence, which results in a safe environment for those who need it. There are counselors, vocational and academic instructors, and residential advisors that can work with the students 24/7 to help teach them financial literacy, citizenship, and responsibility.
Throughout a student’s training, they will get a bi-weekly basic living allowance. As their training progresses, the living allowance will increase. Once a youth has graduated from the program, Job Corps can help them get started on their road to success by providing a transition allowance. This will be based on their academic and career technical training achievements.
Providing this kind of living allowance and transitional allowance will let students learn how to become financially independent as they learn how to budget, save, and manage their money.
Eligibility Requirements for At-Risk Youth
At-risk youth may be eligible for Job Corp if they are in need of job skills training, counseling, education, or assistance to getting started on a path toward a fulfilling career. They must be between the ages of 16 and 24, be a United States citizen, or be authorized to work in the United States. Job Corps is funded by the federal government and is free for students and families.
After Graduation from Job Corps
Even before a young man or woman graduates from the Job Corps program, the staff will offer assistance in searching for a job. They can also help them get access to health care, housing, childcare, and legal assistance. For six months following graduation, a Job Corps Career Transition Specialist will remain in contact with the youth to ensure that their new career and lives are going well.