by William Crum
So you’re out of work, you’re between the age of 16 to 24 years, a U.S. citizen and you have limited financial resources. Well, there is hope for you. The hope I’m referring to is the Job Corps.
The Job Corps is basically a program for young people between the ages 16 to 24 who have limited financial resources. This is a place where you can learn a trade, such as for example carpentry, cement masonry, dental assistant and nurse assistant.
They even have a single parenting program which offers programs for single parents and their dependent children. This enables students who qualify to participate in the Job Corps program and achieve their goals without having to be separated from their children. They’re open to single parents with one or two children, ranging from 6 months to 6 years of age. While the parents are in classes the children will be cared for in the child development center, staffed by educated teachers who are trained to work with young children. This is one of very few in the nation.
With the building boom that is currently under way in Wyandotte County, this makes it ideal for young people to learn a trade.
“Within the last several months we have seen a lot of calls for people who are trained with the Job Corps from current local employers. A good example of this is Top Master who calls us constantly for people,” Carla Schoenfeld said.
Overall the Job Corps program locally is a success. It is an ideal resource for businesses in the community who need qualified trained people. In Kansas, the Flint Hills Job Corps Center operates from Manhattan, Kan., and there are links to the program through the Workforce Partnership career center office at 552 State Ave. in Kansas City, Kan.
For more information on how to apply for the program, contact Marla Ashmore at 913-279-2639 or 785 770-7303 or email [email protected].