THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 2, 1995 TAG: 9506300210
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JENNIFER C. O'DONNELL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
Sherry Millner, a representative of the U.S. Department of Labor, will be at Russell Memorial Library July 10 from 7 to 8 p.m. to discuss the Job Corps, a federal job-training program that teaches auto mechanics, culinary arts, carpentry, brick masonry and other skills to young adults ages 16 to 24.
``Job Corps gives young adults a chance to get off the street so they can train and plan for their future,'' said Millner.
Anyone between 16 and 24 is eligible for the Job Corps, although those from low income households are given priority.
Millner said the program is more than vocational training. ``It's an opportunity for the student to walk away with an education, a trade and some savings.''
Any student that receives a GED while in the program is awarded $200, which is deposited into a savings account. Once a trade program is completed, the student is awarded $250 and if the student finds a job through the Job Corps Placement Program, he or she receives another $250 which is also deposited into a savings account.
In addition, students receive small allowances including a clothing allowance and transportation to and from the training center.
The students stay in a dormitory for six months to two years depending on the length of their program and while living in the dorm, students must adhere to curfews as well as other rules.
``It's a very structured environment,'' said Millner. ``And we have zero tolerance for violence.''
About 92 percent of all applicants are accepted into Job Corps and of those, 75 percent complete the program, said Millner.
The 8 percent who aren't accepted into Job Corps are put into a control group which Congress is using to evaluate the program.
``We keep in touch with those adults for three years to see how they have fared without Job Corps. Once we have some information, Congress will either decide to keep the program or cut it,'' said Millner.
More information on the Job Corps is available by calling Sherry Millner at 587-2762. by CNB