Strengthening Job Corps: New Rules and Support for Youth
This act aims to renew and improve the Job Corps program, which helps young people gain vocational skills and find employment. It introduces changes to eligibility rules, increases support for participants after program completion, and enhances center management to better prepare youth for the workforce.
Key points
Expanding the age range for Job Corps participants to 24, with potential extension to 28 for individuals with disabilities or justice-involved youth.
Introducing new eligibility criteria, including low-income individuals and residents of qualified opportunity zones.
Extending post-program support for graduates from 3 to 12 months, facilitating their job placement and independent living.
Allowing graduates to remain at a Job Corps campus for up to one month after graduation to ease their transition into independent living and employment.
Implementing new performance standards for Job Corps campuses, focusing on participant employment and education outcomes.
Granting more authority to Job Corps campus directors for staff hiring, local partnerships, and budget management.
Establishing clear rules for staff wages and benefits at Job Corps campuses, aligning with local standards.
Implementing behavioral management plans at campuses, including disciplinary measures and agreements with local law enforcement.
Increasing funding for the Job Corps program from 2026 to 2031, including funds for construction and renovation of campuses.
Introduced
Citizen Poll