In response to emerging workforce needs in high-demand industries across the nation, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Job Corps program offers free training that provides students with the skills needed to connect with the high-quality jobs being created by the Biden-Harris administration’s historic infrastructure investments.
Those investments accelerated the need for highly skilled workers in the infrastructure, climate, and advanced manufacturing sectors. With more than 400 pre-apprenticeship training programs across the country, the Job Corps program is a wellspring for the talent pipeline needed in communities where the administration is realizing its investments.
“As we begin to celebrate 60 years of Job Corps’ connecting workers to the employers who need them, we remain laser-focused on customizing our training to provide solutions that meet the evolving needs of the nation,” said acting National Director for Job Corps Erin McGee. “People think of infrastructure as roads and bridges or waterways and airports, but America needs workers to bring these significant projects to life. Job Corps is helping prepare students to become part of that critical workforce.”
Job Corps partners with employers to equip students with relevant and current hands-on training, resulting in students who have the skills, support, and connections they need to progress into Registered Apprenticeship programs or enter directly into stable careers after graduation.
There are two Job Corps campuses in Illinois: Joliet and Paul Simon Chicago. They offer career skills training in high-growth industry sectors, including Advanced Career Training, Finance and Business, Health Care, Homeland Security, Hospitality, Information Technology, and Transportation. Collectively, they offer pre-apprenticeship training in Building Construction Technology, Bricklayer, Carpentry, Cement Masonry, and Painting.
“Through proven strategies such as our pre-apprenticeship training, we are placing students into meaningful careers in fields with exponential growth opportunities,” McGee added. “We also help connect the employers in these same industries with the trained workforce they need.”
With a nationwide network of more than 120 centers and 43 nationally accredited training pathways in advanced manufacturing, construction, renewable resources and energy, and transportation, Job Corps is a natural partner for employers in communities across America to develop their talent pipelines.
Founded in 1964, Job Corps is a federal career technical training and education program for eligible young people who aspire to higher education and good jobs. Job Corps provides programs and services at no charge to students.
Job Corps is a federal career technical training and education program for young people who aspire to higher-paying careers and higher education. With more than 120 residential and nonresidential locations nationwide, training is available in the nation’s fastest-growing industries to eligible 16- through 24-year-olds. The program is free of charge for students. To learn more about Job Corps, visit jobcorps.gov.