U.S. Department of Labor Announces Funding Opportunities To Serve Job Corps-Eligible Youth

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today released a Funding Opportunity Announcement for its Job Corps Scholars Program demonstration project. Through the program, the Department intends to competitively award up to 20 grants to accredited, two-year, public community colleges; accredited, public two- and four-year historically black colleges and universities (HBCU); and accredited tribally controlled colleges and universities (TCCU) to serve Job Corps-eligible youth and young adults 16 to 24 years of age. Grantee institutions must enroll Job Corps-eligible students; provide them educational and career technical skills instruction; and deliver intensive personal, academic and employment counseling. 

“The U.S. Department of Labor remains committed to serving through the Job Corps program,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training John Pallasch. “Through this demonstration project, we are exploring whether we can increase the number of at-risk youth Job Corps serves, as well as deliver educational and career skills instruction in a more cost effective manner.”

Through this project and its other partnerships with educational institutions, Job Corps strengthens the connection between workforce development and education. This demonstration project will also provide the Department with insight into ways to improve the effectiveness of the Job Corps program. 

Qualifying HBCUs, TCCUs and public community colleges have until 4 p.m. EST on January 8, 2020, to submit proposals. The HBCUs and other educational institutions receiving a grant must use the funds to pay for items such as tuition, student fees, books, supplies, counseling services, and room and board. The required student counseling services will help each student obtain a certification in a career skill or trade and secure full-time employment after completing the Job Corps Scholars Program. Additional details about the Job Corps Scholars Program, including how grantee performance outcomes are measured, are included in the funding opportunity announcement.

The Job Corps Scholars Program is designed to provide job training to 1,600 students over the course of two years. The grant period of performance for this funding opportunity announcement is 39 months, and the maximum amount of each grant is $1,186,900. The Department anticipates grant awards in spring 2020. 

The Department’s mission is to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the U.S.; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.