JOB CORPS	
Job Corps (page 1 of 2)	
HISTORY OF JOB CORPS
Job Corps was created in 1964 by President Lyndon 
Johnson as part of Johnson’s War on Poverty. The 
first Job Corps Center was built by Sargent Shriver, 
member of the Kennedy family. Today, there are 
125 Job Corps Centers in the U.S. that offers free 
job training to over 60,000 young people each year. 
Most, but not all, Job Corps Centers provide room 
and board (housing and meals) during job training 
that takes 8 to 24 months to complete.
WHAT JOB TRAINING IS OFFERED?
Job Corps Center train young people for jobs in 73 career paths such as office, automotive, construction, 
restaurant, culinary arts (cooking), warehousing (shipping and receiving), truck driving, manufacturing 
(factory jobs), maintenance and repair, forestry, landscaping, security services, child development, nursing, 
medical assistant, dental assistant, pharmacy assistant, forestry , and more. Young people enroll in the Job 
Corps location that offers career path they want.  In addition, students will earn their high school diploma. 
WHAT IS LIFE LIKE AT A JOB CORPS CENTER?
Most students live at the Job Corps Center in apartments or dorms with roommates. Some students may 
live at home during the training if the Job Corps Center does not provide housing.  Child care is provided 
for students with children. Students train and work in a strict environment similar to the military with rules:  
a) Curfews — rule requiring one to be indoors before certain time at night — must be followed.  
b) Uniforms are worn.  c) No drugs allowed.  d) No conflicts allowed.  Job Corps dorms, meals, clothing, 
and training are free for students. Like the military, Job Corps requires hard work, focus, and motivation 
for students to succeed. About 80% of students graduate from Job Corps and move on to careers, advanced 
training in college, or join the military.
HOW DOES A YOUNG PERSON QUALIFY TO JOIN THE JOB CORPS?
A young person must:  1) Be 16 to 24 years old.  2) In need of job skills.  2) No court dates or outstanding 
fines such as tickets.  3) Low income.   Low income is defined as: a) Receives public, that is government, 
assistance (money); or  b) Earns poverty level income (earns less than $12,880 yearly for one person in 
2021; and less than $17,420 yearly for a 2-person family). If a young person lives in home with parents 
or relatives, income of those parents or relatives is used to qualify as low income.  If a young person lives 
in an apartment alone or with friends — and no adult claims this young person on their 
income tax return — the income of the only the young person is used to qualify .
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE JOB CORPS STUDENT LIKE?
The average Job Corps student is an 18-year-old high school dropout who reads at the 
seventh-grade level; belongs to a minority group; and has never held a full-time job.
More than 34% of Job Corps students are from families on public assistance.  	
My
Career Path

Permission to use with usworkworld.com subscription.  	Job Corps (page 2 of 2)	
QUICK CHECK:
1. a) In what year was Job Corps created?  
  b) By whom? c) As part of what? 
2.  a) How many Job Corps Centers are there today?  
  b) How many young people are trained yearly?
3.  List examples of 5 career paths.
4.  In what Job Corps location do youngsters enroll?
5.  a) Would you enjoy living in a dorm during job 
training? b) Give a reason for your answer.
6.  List 4 military-like rules that must be followed.
7  What percent of Job Corps students graduate?  
8.  What do you think happened to those who don't?
9.  List 3 things required for students to succeed.
10. List 4 things needed to qualify for Job Corps.
11.  List 2 ways to define low-level income.
12. Describe the average Job Corps student.
13. List 4 communication skills.
DOES JOB CORPS INCLUDE ACADEMIC TRAINING?
Yes!  A person is not a good worker without some math and 
communication skills — reading, writing, listening, and talking. 
Job Corps students are taught academic skills needed for the work 
world. For example, students must meet standards that include:  
1) Read Graphic Information — know how to read signs, 
schedules, dictionary, catalogs, maps, graphs, charts, and forms.  
2) Understand Words — know same meaning, opposite meaning, 
correct word for situation.  3)  Recall Information — can 
remember details of event in correct order.  4) Do Critical Thinking — can present summary of situation, 
support evidence, know fact versus opinion, and each person's point of view .  
Communication skills also include:  a) How to listen and talk to 
customers, coworkers, and supervisors.  b) How to write correct 
e-mails, texts, and letters for the work world.  c) How to use 
communication skills to avoid conflicts.   d) How to use 
communication skills to resolve (fix) conflicts and deal with 
difficult customers.  
Job Corps students meet standards in math that include:  add, subtract, multiply , divide, percent, volume, 
paycheck math, how to manage money, and banking.  Also, math required for each career paths is taught.  
Future carpenters are taught how to measure and cut wood.  Future truck drivers are taught how to measure 
a truck's cargo area and how many boxes (like 36" by 24") will fit in their truck.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR JOB CORPS TRAINING?
Call 1-800-733-JOBS (5627) or visit www.jobcorps.gov to find the Job Corps Center near you and apply.	
14. a) In which communication skill do you think  you do best:  read, write, talk, or listen?
  b) Give a reason for your answer.
15. a) To read graphic information, what must  students know?  b) To understand words, what 
must students know?  c) To recall information, 
what must students present?  d) To do critical 
thinking, what must students present?
16. Why do you think it is important to teach 
  students how to listen and talk to customers?
17. Why do you think it is important to teach 
  students how to write correct texts for work?
18. Why do you think it is important to teach 
  students how to use communication skills to 
avoid conflicts at work?
19. Give an example of what: a) Future carpenters  are taught.  b) Future truck drivers are taught.
20. What website address may you visit to apply?