Job Corps’ Historical Impact on

Workforce Development

For 60 years, Job Corps has been building America’s workforce

The idea for the Job Corps program emerged in response to the high youth unemployment rate of the 1960s. Initially conceived as a way for young people to contribute to national parks and forests while enhancing their basic education skills, the vision took shape under President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty in 1964 and the Economic Opportunity Act. As founder and first Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity, Sargent Shriver played a crucial role in shaping the early stages of Job Corps. 

In the years since, Job Corps has evolved to meet the needs of the modern workforce. 

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3 MILLION YOUNG PEOPLE SERVED

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120+ CAMPUSES

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10 HANDS-ON TRAINING AREAS

As we begin the year of Job Corps’ 60th anniversary and recognize its growth over six decades, we are celebrating the difference accessible career training and education has made in the lives of so many. Thank you, Job Corps alumni, for being an integral part of the Job Corps legacy. Please be on the lookout for more information about Job Corps’ 60th anniversary and how alumni like yourselves can be involved in the yearlong celebration.  

Pathways to Success:
Job Corps Success Stories

 See how fellow Job Corps alumni shine using the skills they learned at Job Corps   

Jamaar, from Washington, D.C., is excelling as a brick masonry apprentice for a local union. At Job Corps, he not only gained skills in his training area but also broadened his knowledge beyond expectations.

Melissa transformed her life through newfound confidence and skills acquired during her time at Job Corps, leading her to serve in the U.S. armed forces. Today she excels in a successful security career.

Want to get involved on your campus?

Contact your center and let them know you want to get involved, and don’t forget to join the Job Corps Alumni Facebook group!