Job Corps offers free training, apprenticeships

WASHINGTON – In response to emerging work force 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 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,” acting National Director for Job Corps Erin McGee said in a news release. “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 Georgia: Brunswick and Turner Job Corps in Albany. They offer career skills training in high-growth industry sectors, including advanced manufacturing, automotive and machine repair, construction, finance and business, health care, homeland security, hospitality, renewable resources and energy, and transportation.

Brunswick Job Corps also offers pre-apprenticeship training in building construction technology; electrical; heating, ventilation and air conditioning; painting; and plumbing. Turner Job Corps offers pre-apprenticeship training in advanced asphalt paving, bricklaying, carpentry, heavy construction equipment mechanic, heavy construction equipment operations, plastering and tile setting.

“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 work force 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.

File Photo: Carlton Fletcher