50 Years of Job CorpsJane Marquardt congratulates Job Corps on five decades of making the country a better place.

On April 21, Job Corps celebrated 50 years of educating and training disadvantaged youth

Job Corps' mission is to help young people improve the quality of their lives via vocational and academic training.

Job Corps began as a critical branch of the Johnson Administration's program that is now called the War on Poverty.

The War on Poverty was a facet of President Johnson’s domestic agenda known as the Great Society.

A person is only eligible for Job Corps if he or she is a legal U.S. resident, meets low-income criteria, and needs additional education, counseling, or other assistance find and keep a job

Each student in the Job Corps completes four stages throughout the duration of the program.

Outreach and Admissions (OA): Students visit admissions counselors and gather information, as well as prepare for and leave for their Job Corps Centers.

Career Preparation Period (CPP): Students assimilate into the center and acclimate to academic testing, health screening, and learning about job search skills. Students improve computer literacy and employability.

Career Development Period (CDP): Students receive vocational training, drivers' education, academic instruction, and preparation for life outside of Job Corps

Career Transition Readiness (CTR): Immediately after the student graduates, the Career Transition Specialists outside the center assist with the job search. They help with the arrangement of living accommodations, transportation, and family support resources.