Job Corps to offer veterans job training

The Veterans' Employment and Training Service and the Employment and Training Administration's Job Corps are partnering in a demonstration project that will provide Job Corps' comprehensive array of career development services to eligible veterans, ages 20-24, to prepare them for successful careers.

The project is free to all veterans. It includes transportation to and from the Job Corps center, housing, meals, basic medical services, academic and career technical training, bi-weekly living allowance, and job placement and post-graduation support. The program is especially customized for veterans.

Job Corps employs a holistic career development training approach that teaches academic, vocational, employability skills and social competencies in an integrated manner through a combination of classroom, practical and based learning experiences to prepare participants for stable, long-term, and high-paying jobs. One of the important outcomes is that participants will obtain a credential or certificate certifying them in a trade.

Veterans accepted in the demonstration project will be living among non-veterans and other veterans who are also transitioning from the military to civilian life. When veterans are ready to begin transitioning into their career, Job Corps staff will assist them in job searching, résumé drafting, and job interviewing skills.

Job Corps will provide graduates with transition services for up to 21 months after graduation, including assistance with housing, transportation and other support services. Upon completion of training, veterans will be assigned to a career transition counselor to assist them with job placement or enrollment in higher education.

A total of 300 veterans can join the demonstration project. There are 100 residential slots set aside for veterans at each of the following three centers:

-Atterbury Job Corps Center in Edinburgh, Ind. -Earle C. Clements Job Corps Center in Morganfield, Ky.-Excelsior Springs Job Corps Center in Excelsior Springs, Miss.

The enrollment will be open and continuous until a center reaches 100 veterans. It is expected that veteran participants will be enrolling and graduating at various rates. Although Job Corps has set aside 300 slots for the demonstration project, actual participation during the year may exceed that number due to the continuous enrollment. Once a participant has been identified and accepted into the program, he or she will be given the opportunity to select one of the three Job Corps training centers chosen by Job Corps for this demonstration project.

To sign up for the project or receive more information, visit http://www.dol.gov/vets/jc-info.htm or call (800)-733-5627