Job Corps and HUD Stakeholders Partner to Increase Youth Self-Sufficiency

Attendees on a tour of the Whitney M. Young Job Corps Center.

Two Job Corps Centers in Kentucky recently hosted tours and in-depth information on their programs to HUD staff and HUD partners at the Earle C. Clements Job Corps Center in Morganfield, Kentucky and Whitney M. Young Job Corps Center in Simpsonville, Kentucky. The events kicked off with a welcome from HUD Kentucky Field Office Director Michael Browder and included an overview of HUD's Section 3 program and the benefits of these partnerships. Job Corps staff and directors then gave an overview of the training curricula in high-growth job industries and the high success rate of participants provided on the campuses. Later in the tour student ambassadors shared their experiences on how Job Corps is helping them reach their career goals and improve their lives.

Carpentry student TraDarius Smith, who spoke on the Whitney M. Young Job Corps tour explained, "Whitney Young Job Corps changed my life. I really don't know what I would be doing had I not come to Job Corps. I learned everything I know from my instructor." TraDarius has completed his carpentry trade and just started working with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters on Monday, March 19th. He is earning approximately $25 per hour including benefits.

Whitney M. Young Center Director Woody Allen stated, "Life is Looking Inward for Excellence and we are about making significant intrinsic changes in order for the students to have a better quality of life and to succeed in a career."

"Job Corps is a tremendous opportunity for today's youth. Earle C. Clements Job Corps Academy is an outstanding opportunity to open new career pathways in high demand - high growth industries," said Jeffrey Barton, Earle C. Clements Center Director. "We are excited about our partnership with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to further the outreach and admissions process."

Mr. Browder will visit all seven Job Corps Centers in Kentucky to gain first-hand knowledge of each one and to encourage additional HUD stakeholder participation. Browder said, "Job Corps is changing the lives of so many motivated low-income youths who would not otherwise have a chance to gain a valuable education and career. Each center has a specific curriculum focus so my goal is to have public housing authorities transport interested young adults to each of the centers to give them a chance to find the one which fits their interests best."

The Department of Labor Job Corps program, through a nationwide network of 125 campuses, offers 11 training curricula in high-growth job industries. Participation in the nation's largest free education and training program helps low-income youth ages 16-24 learn a career, earn a high school diploma or GED, and find and maintain employment. Public Housing Authorities, Homeless Providers, HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agencies, and the Louisville Metro Police Department were present to learn how they could assist low-income and at-risk youth in accessing this viable educational and career development program.

Find out more about Job Corps (https://www.jobcorps.gov/)

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