High school becomes more and more complicated to complete every year for thousands of young adults. The curriculum becomes more vigorous, as well as focused. Many students have found a way to bridge the gap between academics and career through Job Corps.

Students at Job Corps have an opportunity to obtain a high school diploma or GED by completing a specialized curriculum. Independent living, employability, and social skills are also taught to students that need guidance in transitioning to the workforce. Reading and math skills are also offered to students that lack basic skills.

Career technical training is offered to students in various fields. Each center offers a wide range of areas to choose from. Courses in each field are hands-on. Students are taught academics in the classroom, as well as trained by doing by on the job training.

The Job Corps program is federally funded. It is free to participate in the program. The student is actually paid an allowance to take care of personal needs while in the program. Each student is paid twice a month. The amount of the allowance depends on the length of time in the program, as well as behavior. A transition allowance is also awarded to help students cover the cost of transitioning into the workplace when the program is completed.

Parents are generally sold on the idea of Job Corps because of the lack of tuition. Some parents appreciate the strictness of the centers. Students live on campus in dorms. Some students are allowed to live off campus with special approval. Three meals at each Job Corps center are free. There is no reason to leave the center because everything is provided for the students. Not only is housing available, but medical services and career counseling are also offered. Job placement assistance is also used to assist in the transition from academics to career.

Some students prefer to continue their education. The counselor of the program can assist by working with community colleges in the area. There are one hundred career technical training areas to choose from at Job Corps. If a high school diploma or GED has already been obtained, the main focus of Job Corps will be shifted to employability skills and training.

Transitioning to the workforce can be a challenge for special education students. Job Corps is one way to move from academics to career in a safe environment that is conductive to learning. This is a rare case where the students are paid to continue their education and transition to a career field of their choice. Students must be between the ages of sixteen and twenty-four to participate. Completing a GED or high school diploma before getting accepted to Job Corps will speed up the time of completion tremendously. Job Corps is a great way to turn low self-esteem into job success.