The Recovery Act invested millions in new projects that are improving our infrastructue, repairing homes, and much more. But it also provided millions in direct benefits for families, students, businesses, investors, and more including more than $288 million in various forms of tax relief. Guidance on how to access each of those benefits is below.
Recovery Act Provisions:
- $212 million for construction and upgrades of facilities
- $39 million for operations and administration
- Millions more in grants for new green jobs programs
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Job Corps centers are comprehensive facilities for participants aged 16 – 24. Participants can live on campus and earn a living stipend while they learn new skills or work towards a diploma and college credit. In 2008, 90 percent of graduates found employment, went on to college, or joined the military. Texas has four Job Corps centers that provide free training and education to thousands of people each year.
There are a number of ways to find out more or enroll:
1) Get more information about Job Corps programs
Fill out the form here to request more information, or read over the PDFs for prospective participants in English or in Spanish. There is also a brochure for parents.
Eligible applicants must:
- Be between the ages of 16 and 25
- Be a citizen/national of the United States, lawfully admitted permanent resident alien, refugee, asylee, or parolee or other immigrant authorized to work in the United States.
- Face one or more barriers to employment such as: in need of additional career technical training, education, counseling and related assistance to complete regular schoolwork or to secure and maintain employment; a school dropout; a runaway; a foster child; a parent; or homeless
- Have signed consent from a parent or guardian if he/she is a minor
- Have a child care plan if he/she is the parent of a dependent child
- Not exhibit behavioral problems that could inhibit him/her or others from benefiting fully from the program
- Not require any face-to-face court or institutional supervision or court-imposed fines while enrolled in Job Corps
- Not use drugs illegally
2) Locate a Job Corps center and contact an admissions counselor
Texas has Job Corps centers in El Paso, San Marcos, Laredo, and McKinney. To speak with an admissions counselor, call (800) 733 - JOBS. Admissions counselors will help you submit an application
3) Meet with a Job Corps representative at the center of your choice.
The final step is an interview with Job Corps staff. Before meeting and interviewing with a representative, you will need to gather some documents, including photo ID, health records, transcripts, and more.
