What is Job Corps?
Job Corps is America's oldest, largest and most comprehensive national residential education and training program for unemployed and undereducated youth ages 16-24. It offers training in over 115 careers including health care, information technology, automotive technology and construction trades. While in training, all Job Corps students have the opportunity to earn a GED or high school diploma and to complete college-level course work. Job Corps conducts a disciplined and regimented program, which instills a strong work ethic, responsibility and teamwork. Additionally, each student must formally commit to confirm to Job Corps Zero Tolerance Policy for drugs and violence.

The federally funded program administered by the Department of Labor has a proven record of achievement, as evidenced by program year 1999 when 80 percent of all Job Corps participants were placed in a job, joined the military, or enrolled in higher education. Furthermore, a recent study has shown that for every $1.00 invested in the program, $1.46 is returned to society through reductions in welfare, crime and incarceration costs, and through increased taxes paid by graduates.

Job Corps Career Development Resource Center
Hiring workers with technical skills and entry-level workers are among the biggest short-term needs for area businesses. Job Corps Centers can be a great source of skilled workers. The DSCC is working with the U.S. Chamber’s Center for Workforce Preparation to pilot a Web site that will help businesses reduce recruitment and training costs, increase retention and strengthen a community’s labor pool by building partnerships with Job Corps Centers. Click here to visit the Job Corps Career Development Resource Center. Click here to provide feedback to the U.S. Chamber on your experiences with the site.

Wilmington, Delaware Job Corps Center
Delaware's first Job Corps Center is located on Vandever Avenue in Wilmington. The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Center for Workforce Preparation to promote the new center in Wilmington, Delaware and gain support and involvement from the Delaware business community. The Wilmington Center will function as a satellite center to the high performing Philadelphia Job Corps Center and will provide education and job training for 150 students. The Center will offer training in the trades of facility maintenance, culinary arts, business/clerical and health occupations.

How Can Delaware Business Owners Take Advantage of Job Corps?
Business owners can contact the Job Corps staff now and indicate what their employee needs are. Then, when Job Corps graduates begin their job search, Job Corps staff can make the appropriate matches. Job Corps also offers free applicant screening services. Employers can also refer potential employees who need more training to Job Corps Centers.

Job Corps Career Development Resource Center
Hiring workers with technical skills and entry-level workers are among the biggest short-term needs for area businesses. Job Corps Centers can be a great source of skilled workers. The DSCC is working with the U.S. Chamber’s Center for Workforce Preparation to pilot a Web site that will help businesses reduce recruitment and training costs, increase retention and strengthen a community’s labor pool by building partnerships with Job Corps Centers. Click here to visit the Job Corps Career Development Resource Center.

To refer someone, inquire about potential employees or get more information, call Sam Harbison at (215) 966-0137 or e-mail him at HarbisS@jcdc.jobcorps.com. To visit Job Corps' Web site here.

To help create a qualified work force, click here for an application form. Viewing the form requires Adobe Reader. If you do not already have this software, you can download it for free by clicking here.