EVANSTON — If you’ve always believed that only troubled, court-ordered youth are in Job Corps or that their centers are lock-down facilities, Erica Appel would change your mind. Appel, admissions counselor for Colorado and Wyoming Job Corps, gave a passionate speech at the Evanston Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 8. The event took place at the Tumbleweeds restaurant meeting room.

Job Corps has 123 centers across the United States and in Puerto Rico. After a youth, ranging in age from 16 to 24 years old, completes an application and decides what occupation or career he or she is interested in, the admissions counselor will connect them with the center that best fits their goals. 

If a young person is ready to learn, train and work, then they are ready for Job Corps, Appel said. If they are income eligible, the entire opportunity is free. When a young person turns 18, their parents’ income is not considered and eligibility is based solely on their own income. They must be a U.S. citizen, a legal U.S. resident or a resident of a U.S. territory and/or authorized to work in the United States. 

A person is not eligible for Job Corps if they use illegal drugs, have serious behavior problems that could prevent their own or others’ success, or have certain criminal convictions that require court supervision. Appel pointed out these facts, printed on their recruitment brochure, to dispel the myth of only troubled kids being in Job Corps.

They do have a strict student conduct policy and violence and drug use are strictly prohibited. Appel said Job Corps wants to ensure that all students can train and learn in a safe environment. 

The centers are open campus and students are able to go home on holidays and weekends and the center will provide transportation to and from if needed. Personal vehicles are not allowed due to lack of space for parking. 

All of the centers provide separate dorms for men and women, all meals, basic medical care, uniforms, training and class supplies, library and computer labs and enrichment and recreational activities.

Academic opportunities offered include earning a high school diploma, tutoring in a variety of subjects, including English language learning and the opportunity to enroll in classes that offer college credit. The center will provide transportation to and from a local college campus when needed.

Centers also provide professional development courses in communication, résumé and interview guidance, networking with local employers for apprenticeships and workplace experience, leadership skills, community service opportunities and how to dress appropriately for the job of their choice.

Appel said youth can be in the center for up to two years, though completion of training time varies. Though she focuses on referring a student to Wyoming, Colorado, Montana and Idaho, if a person chooses a career not offered in those states she will find a center that does. Job Corps centers offer training in areas that are in line with local and state-wide industries and jobs. 

After completion of their training, Job Corps provides each student with $1,000, and one year of support services to assist them in becoming self-sufficient.

Appel then focused her presentation on the Wind River Job Corps Center in Riverton. The center is only three years old and has room for 300 students. Located on a 135-acre rural campus and near several national parks and monuments, it provides a beautiful learning environment, Appel said.

The careers offered at this center include advanced manufacturing welding, automotive and machine repair, construction including building technology, carpentry, electrical, finance and business, renewable resources and energy, and transportation including heavy equipment operation and heavy truck driving. 

A typical weekday daily schedule at the Wind River Center would begin with breakfast, then morning career training and academic classes, lunch, afternoon career training and academic classes, dinner and then evening time to study or socialize with friends. Everything is provided free, and students are also given a $50-per-month stipend for spending money.

“I paid for my own college degree but had I known then about the free program with Job Corps, I would have gone to a center,” Appel said.

Appel concluded her presentation by thanking those in attendance and announcing that she has been promoted to project director for Colorado and Wyoming. She said a new admissions counselor will be appointed soon.