Mission Statement

As a national, primarily residential training program, Job Corps' mission is to attract eligible young adults, teach them the skills they need to become employable and independent, and place them in meaningful jobs or further education

About the Administrator - Esther R. Johnson

Esther R. Johnson is currently the National Director of the Office of Job Corps for the Office of the Secretary (OSEC). As Administrator, she has responsibility for leading the program and its 122 Job Corps centers throughout the country. The Job Corps program serves approximately 62,000 disadvantaged youth, ages 16-24, each year. The largely residential program offers participants opportunities to secure academic and vocational credentials and assists them with securing placement in education, employment, or the military upon graduation from the program.

Previously, Ms. Johnson served as administrator for the Office of Performance and Technology in the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) at the Department of Labor (DOL). Ms. Johnson began her career at DOL in 1990 in the Office of Workforce Security in the Division of Unemployment Insurance. Since then, she has risen rapidly through several leadership assignments with increasing responsibility, including comptroller and associate administrator of the Office of Policy Research. Prior to her service at DOL, Ms. Johnson was an educator for 15 years.

Ms. Johnson holds a Doctorate in Educational Administration from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and both a Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Virginia Commonwealth University

Program Design

Through a nationwide network of campuses, Job Corps offers a comprehensive array of career development services to at-risk young women and men, ages 16 to 24, to prepare them for successful careers. Job Corps employs a holistic career development training approach which integrates the teaching of academic, vocational, employability skills and social competencies through a combination of classroom, practical and based learning experiences to prepare youth for stable, long-term, high-paying jobs.

The Job Corps design includes the following features:

1. Standard eligibility criteria
2. A defined set of core competencies in academic, vocational, information technology, employability and independent living skills which represent the fundamental skills students need to secure and maintain employment
3. Standardized systems for financial reporting, data collection, student benefits and accountability
4. Nationally established performance outcomes, goals and quality expectations

The Job Corps design is based on the principles of quality services and individualized instruction to meet the needs of each student. Training approaches and methods of implementation vary to allow tailoring of service components and delivery methods, effectively use resources and meet individual student and employer needs.

Program Administration

Job Corps is authorized by Title I-C of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. Job Corps is administered by the Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Office of Job Corps, under the leadership of the National Director, supported by a National Office staff and a field network of Regional Offices of Job Corps.

Education, training and support services are provided to students at Job Corps center campuses located throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. Job Corps centers are operated for the Department of Labor by private companies through competitive contracting processes, and by other Federal Agencies through interagency agreements.

Applicants are identified and screened for eligibility by organizations contracted by the Department of Labor.

Following enrollment, job or further academic placement, follow-up and transitional career development support services are provided for eligible students through organizations contracted by the Department of Labor

Disclaimer -http://www.dol.gov/dol/disclaim.htm 
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Job Corps Boston Region has Job Corps Centers serving Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Rhode Island

The Office of Job Corps is committed to ensuring its Web site are accessible to the widest possible audience. We are continually improving accessibility by following all recommended guidelines outlined in Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998. Should you require assistance with any portion of this site, contact sawyer.karla@jobcorps.org or mendoza.carlos@jobcorps.org