PARENTS AND GUARDIANS GUIDE A Guide To A Student’s Job Corps Decision jobcorps.gov (800) 733-JOBS [5627] At Job Corps, all students have the opportunity to change the direction of their lives and begin working toward successful careers that they can build on for the rest of their lives. WHAT STUDENTS NEED TO KNOW 16 –24 121 Centers Age Range Completion Times nationwide of students vary Tuition-Free Graduate Success eligibility job | apprenticeship requirements higher education | military “My 19-year-old daughter loves Job Corps! She is learning and growing, and it has been an amazing experience for her.” DAWN, PARENT OF A JOB CORPS STUDENT WHAT STUDENTS NEED TO DECIDE Are they ready Are they ready to Are they ready to to TRAIN in LEARN and become GIVE their best— challenging, the person they for themselves, their hands-on classes? know they can be? fellow students, and their community? Are they ready to LIVE on Are they ready to CONNECT a Job Corps campus and with teachers, counselors, discover what it’s like to be employers, and graduates? on their own? 2 3 STEP ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS 1 Students may be eligible for Job Corps if they: Are committed to improving their education and their future Need job skills training, education, counseling, or related assistance to help get them started on a career pathway Are between the ages of 16 and 24 Are a U.S. citizen, a legal U.S. resident, or a resident of a U.S. territory, and/or are authorized to work in the United States Meet other eligibility requirements Students may NOT be eligible for Job Corps if they: Use drugs illegally under federal law Exhibit behavioral problems that could prevent themselves or others from success in Job Corps Connect with Job Corps by visiting jobcorps.gov to be put in contact with an Admissions Representative or to begin the Initial Student Application process. Just keep in mind Have certain criminal convictions or require the enrollment phase is thorough and can take time. court supervision 4 5 STEP BEING PREPARED FOR JOB CORPS 2 Job Corps provides many of the everyday necessities needed to work and train, like clothing and supplies for career training, sheets, towels, and food. Students may also want to bring a few personal items from home. PACKING LIST: Personal photos and Toiletries like shampoo, inexpensive mementos to conditioner, toothpaste, remind them of home toothbrush, and deodorant Books and Cellphone—common-area magazines phones are available if a student doesn’t have a cellphone Casual clothes for when students aren’t training in a career area or in class The waiting period between being accepted into the program and actually arriving on center can sometimes seem long. Try to be patient, and stay in contact with your family’s assigned Admissions Representative for updates. 6 7 FREQUENTLY TYPICAL WEEKDAY DAILY SCHEDULE ASKED QUESTIONS Exact times will vary from center to center 7a BREAKFAST How much will Job Corps cost? Job Corps’ training and education opportunities are available at 8 no cost to all eligible students. Where do Job Corps students live? 9 Most Job Corps students live in dorms on campus at one of 121 centers across the country. Students are assigned to the center MORNING: CAREER TRAINING that best meets their training and education needs/goals. 10 AND How long are students in Job Corps? ACADEMIC CLASSES The length of time for every student is different and depends mostly on the criteria/credentials students entered the program 11 with (high school diploma/high school equivalency credential) and the credentials the student hopes to leave with (multiple training area completions, Advanced Training, etc.). The most successful 12p students stay in the program for at least 18 months. LUNCH What about food and supplies? 1 Job Corps provides students three meals a day, basic medical care, and clothes and supplies needed for their training. All students also receive a small stipend to pay for toiletries and other similar items. 2 What do students do every day? AFTERNOON: Students spend the majority of the day in academic and career 3 CAREER TRAINING training classes. Centers have scheduling differences, but typically AND ACADEMIC CLASSES students will follow a schedule similar to the one on the right. 4 5 “Our son says that Job Corps is the best decision he ever DINNER made, and it really gave him a second chance at success in his life. He is really excited to be starting college in the fall. 6 He wasn’t a stellar student in high school; but Job Corps EVENING: taught him to be a successful student, and he has gained TIME TO STUDY, 7 some life skills also.” SEEK TUTORING, WORK OUT, SOCIALIZE BECKY, PARENT OF A JOB CORPS STUDENT 8 WITH FRIENDS, OR PARTICIPATE IN RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES 8 9 ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TRAIN CAREER PATHWAY // WELDING While at Job Corps, INDUSTRY SECTORS students will have the opportunity to gain ADVANCED MANUFACTURING hands-on training $51,000* Machining | Manufacturing Technology | Welding and practical work * STEP 4 experience in a career AUTOMOTIVE AND MACHINE REPAIR $36,000 Collision Repair and Refinish STEP 3 area of their choice. START Heavy Construction Equipment Mechanic* 2-YEAR ASSOCIATE With multiple career OR 4-YEAR DEGREE Maintenance and Light Repair* STEP 2 IN WELDING training areas in high- growth industries, CONSTRUCTION STEP 1 JOB CORPS WELDING students pursue Bricklayer* | Building Construction Technology* ADVANCED TRAINING TRAINING COURSES AREA ENTRY-LEVEL Carpentry* | Cement Masonry* JOB CORPS WELDING careers that fit their WELDER JOB TRAINING AREA individual interests and Construction Craft Laborer* | Electrical* Facilities Maintenance | Floor Covering* abilities. ADDITIONAL ADDITIONAL Glazing* | HVAC* | Painting* | Plastering* CREDENTIALS CREDENTIALS INDUSTRY CREDENTIAL Plumbing* | Tile Setting* A student’s career path FINANCE AND BUSINESS depends on which WORKPLACE WORKPLACE WORKPLACE WORKPLACE Accounting Services | Office Administration EXPERIENCE EXPERIENCE EXPERIENCE EXPERIENCE industry and training area they choose. Job HEALTH CARE Corps has experienced Certified Nurse Assistant HEALTH CARE CAREER PATHWAY instructors and Clinical Medical Assistant | Dental Assistant advisors who work with Emergency Medical Technician // CERTIFIED NURSE ASSISTANT Health Unit Coordinator | Insurance Claims Processor students to set them Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse on a path similar to the Medical Administrative Assistant ones to the right. Patient Care Technician | Pharmacy Technician Rehabilitation Technician $101,000* HOMELAND SECURITY $50,000* STEP 4 Security and Protective Services Work-based learning is part * STEP 3 START $24,000 of every training area so HOSPITALITY MASTER’S DEGREE students can learn from real Culinary Arts | Hotel and Lodging STEP 2 employers and get on-the- job experience to become NURSING PROGRAM INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STEP 1 AT COMMUNITY OR workforce-ready. JOB CORPS ADVANCED 4-YEAR COLLEGE Computer Networking | Computer Technician TRAINING – LICENSED TRAINING PRACTICAL/VOCATIONAL COURSES Network Cable Installation NURSE JOB CORPS CNA TRAINING AREA RENEWABLE RESOURCES AND ENERGY ADDITIONAL ADDITIONAL Job Corps has Advanced ENTRY-LEVEL JOB WITH CREDENTIALS Forestry Conservation and Firefighting CREDENTIALS Training programs in LOCAL HEALTH CARE Landscaping | Urban Forestry INDUSTRY CREDENTIAL EMPLOYER different industries at select centers across the country. Water/Wastewater Management Interested students must WORKPLACE WORKPLACE WORKPLACE WORKPLACE apply to these programs TRANSPORTATION EXPERIENCE EXPERIENCE EXPERIENCE EXPERIENCE and be prepared to move to Asphalt Paving* | Heavy Equipment Operations another center if accepted. Heavy Truck Driving Material Handling and Distribution Operations *Salary averages vary for each credential and training area. Visit mynextmove.org for additional salary information. * Pre-Apprenticeship Seamanship programs offer students To see a list of more Job Corps training programs with potential the hands-on training and career pathways, salary information, and certification options, education needed to qualify Career training programs vary at the for apprenticeships. 121 Job Corps centers. visit jobcorps.gov/train. 10 11 LEARN In today’s job market, more and more employers are requiring that their employees have at least some college education. No matter where you are on your educational journey, Job Corps will help you obtain the academic support you need to achieve your career goals. ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES High school diploma or the equivalent offered through classroom and online programs (if needed). Tutoring options in several areas including English Language Learning, reading, writing, science, and math. Community college partnerships, where Job Corps students are able to take college-level classes and earn college credit while enrolled in the program. The centers that offer these partnerships will arrange transportation to and from the college and help make sure students have what they need for classes. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES Put career and leadership skills “My grandson graduated from the Culinary Arts program to work through community service events and projects. in North Carolina and is now in the Culinary Arts Advanced Training program in Exeter (R.I.) Job Corps. I am so proud of him, and he will have the opportunity to travel and work anywhere in the world.” COMMUNICATION SKILLS RESUME/INTERVIEW GUIDANCE Learn how to effectively Receive guidance on resume BRENDA, GRANDMOTHER OF A JOB CORPS STUDENT communicate with your writing and how to prepare peers and supervisors. for job interviews. NETWORKING TEAMWORK Network with local employers Develop leadership skills and learn and community leaders. conflict resolution best practices. WHAT TO WEAR DETERMINATION Learn how to dress Learn that your career fate is in appropriately for your job. your hands—you have to want it and be willing to do the work. 12 13 LIVE An important part of the Job Corps experience is learning to adapt to center life and becoming an active member of a community. This includes learning how to work in teams, living in a dorm setting, and participating in center and community outreach events.