Youth Employability.How Job Corps Can Help Your

Students Become Employable.

Prepared By Daniel Moser MBADynamic Educational Systems, Inc.

Reading, Pa

First Presented at the Pennsylvania School Counselor’s Association

Lancaster, PAMay 20th, 2010

Presented By Melissa Huhn, MS Admissions Counselor for Bucks, Carbon,

Lehigh, Montgomery, & Northampton Counties

Reading Admissions Office 400 Washington St, Suite 604 Reading, PA 19601 1.800.269.5640 610-372-5500 fax

What is Job Corps and why we exist. What Job Corps is not. What are students offered at Job Corps Who can go to Job Corps? Why your local Job Corps Admissions

Counselor is a School Counselor’s best friend.

United States Department of Labor Largest and oldest youth employability

program operated by Federal Government 123 locations in all 50 states 31,000 students enrolled at one time.

Career Technical Training Centers Students live on Job Corps Center while

completing the training they need to remove barriers to their employability.

Not an entitlement. Students are selected based upon

motivation and commitment. A Job Corps Scholarship is currently valued

at $72,000, based on 2 year eligibility, and not everyone is offered a chance to go.

We are not:◦ A homeless shelter◦ A step down facility◦ A drug and alcohol treatment facility◦ A detention center◦ A residential treatment facility◦ An alternative high school.

1) Incomplete education ◦ Approximately 75% of all new Job Corps Students

come to us without a high school diploma. All students at Job Corps Centers are in school 40 hours a week.Students without GED/HSD spend 1/2 of their week in academic classroom until they complete their education. Students with a GED or HSD are TABE tested and may be placed in remedial classes.

2) Lack of Career Technical Training. Job Corps Centers are accredited schools

that prepare students for entry level jobs in over 50 careers. Most students earn industry recognized certifications or state licenses.

Culinary Arts Auto Mechanics Medical Asst Office Assistant Machinist Carpenter Plumber Electrician Nurse Asst/HHA Hospitality Collision repair Welding Cement & Plasterer Pharmacy Tech

All instructors are experts in their fields. Construction trades are taught by either the

Home Builder’s Institute or the Trade Unions; Carpenters, Painters, Operating Engineers, Cement and Plasterers and Laborers to name a few.

All training is up to date and current methods and equipment are taught.

Certifying Bodies include:Pa Depts. of Transportation & HealthAmerican Restaurant AssnAmerican Forestry Assn.American Hospital Assn.CiscoMicrosoft.

Lack of driver’s license All Job Corps Students are offered the opportunity to earn their driver’s license. Many careers including construction and auto mechanic require the applicant to prove they can drive before an interview will be granted.

Soft SkillsEmployability skills, students are taught resume prep, job search & interviewing skills.Independent living. Students are taught budgeting and money management.Social Skills. Teamwork, conflict resolution, self esteem and anger management.

Lack of experience in job searching.◦ Students begin their job search before leaving

center in intensive Career Readiness Program.◦ Students are assigned the services of a Career

Transition Specialist when they return home to coach and aid them in their job search.

Full time commitment, including understanding that we do not tolerate class cuts or lateness.

Treat others with dignity and respect. Adhere to Zero Tolerance Policy. No alcohol, drugs, violence or sexual

harassment

Appropriate dress and grooming, shop and school uniforms are provided.

Most important is a strong desire to succeed and get ahead.

Room and Board Instruction, Academic and Career Tech. Any needed books, tools, uniforms &

safety equipment. Basic Medical Care. Transportation to and from center. Stipend and graduation bonus.

16- 24 years of age. Must arrive by 25th birthday. If school age must have permission of school.

US citizen or Legal resident. Green Card holder, refugee/Asylee/parolee.

Low income. Federal poverty guidelines. Over 18 year olds may be treated as family of one.

Student must be highly motivated, this is a voluntary program.

Student must be able to live independently with little or no supervision or assistance.

Must be free of supervision of court; not on probation, cannot owe fines or restitution. No pending charges.

Students with criminal history are reviewed on case by case basis.

Drug and alcohol problems. Should be sober at least 6 months. Must be committed to their recovery.

Mental Health Issues. Need clean discharge from therapy. Will need records if hospitalized Must be compliant with medications. May need psych evaluation at students expense.

Disabilities. Need IEP or other medical records for disability committee to review.

Child Care. Must arrange for responsible person to care for child before enrollment.

Braces. Must sign statement accepting personal responsibility for cost of continuing orthodontic care plan. Will need to attend center closer to home.

All other medical conditions. Must be compliant with medication and care plan. Must not need extensive care.

We can bring solutions to your school for some of your persistent issues. Our counselors want to viewed as a resource for you to use.

Former students who dropped out and now wish to return. Refer them to job corps for them to complete their education. If it is no later that October 1st of the following school year you can take them off your dropout list.

Undecided or clueless seniors. Your local admission counselor is eager to market our program to your seniors. We know that college is not for everyone and traditional trade schools can be beyond the reach of what many families can afford. Give us the chance to provide a viable option to your seniors.

The ungraduates. Under certain circumstances and with your permission, we will take students out of school and transfer them into Job Corps. Should be those that wish to continue their education but life has erected a barrier for them. Unstable households, unattended or homeless students, students that moved multiple times who are behind in credits. Students who refuse to attend or participate in school without any barriers may not be good candidates. Students with extensive discipline problems may be deferred.

Questions?