Bill Overview
Title: Strengthening Job Corps Act of 2022
Description: This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 and modifies the Job Corps program, including expanding eligibility and requiring each Job Corps campus to develop and implement a plan for student standards of conduct and behavioral interventions. Job Corps is a national program that operates with state and local partners to provide education and training, primarily in a residential setting, for low-income youths.
Sponsors: Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24]
Target Audience
Population: Low-income youth
Estimated Size: 400000
- Job Corps serves low-income youth ages 16 to 24, providing vocational training and educational opportunities.
- The program operates on a national scale across the United States, aiming to reach young people who are economically disadvantaged.
- There are around 40 million people aged 15-24 in the U.S.; if Job Corps targets approximately 1% of that demographic, it would affect about 400,000 individuals.
- Not all potential participants will be eligible or choose to participate, so the actual number actively involved may be smaller.
Reasoning
- The Job Corps program targets low-income youth aged 16 to 24, focusing on providing vocational training and education, often in a residential setting. The policy expansion could impact a significant portion of this demographic, although the actual number enrolled may be limited by budget constraints and eligibility criteria.
- With an annual budget of $1 billion, the program should be able to expand its offerings, although resource allocation will still be critical to maximizing impact efficiently.
- Given that Job Corps serves a fraction of the potential eligible population, participants can expect various levels of benefit ranging from educational advancement to behavioral improvements.
- Some youth may not directly benefit due to either a lack of program capacity or reach, while others may experience significant changes in both education outcomes and personal development.
Simulated Interviews
unemployed, seeking job training (Houston, TX)
Age: 19 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think the expanded Job Corps could really help me find a good career path.
- Having more options and structured environments can be a big motivator.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
part-time fast food worker (Chicago, IL)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Without Job Corps, I feel like I'm stuck in a dead-end job.
- I hope this policy can help people like me to get better job training.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
high school student (Rural Georgia)
Age: 17 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It would give me a chance to learn outside traditional school.
- I hope it includes programs I am interested in like carpentry or tech.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
intern (New York, NY)
Age: 24 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Job Corps could be a last opportunity to stabilize my life.
- It depends whether this expansion reaches people like me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
volunteer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 20 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Programs like this could keep me focused and out of trouble.
- I hope the policy is inclusive of people with my background.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
part-time retail worker (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 18 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The new policy could offer tech programs that align with my interests.
- I think it could lead me to the right career path.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
barista (Seattle, WA)
Age: 21 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More options in finding the right job training may help me feel more secure.
- I'm hopeful about the change.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
unemployed (Miami, FL)
Age: 23 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Job Corps expansion could finally provide me the skills to enter construction.
- I might apply if more slots are available.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
high school student (Boston, MA)
Age: 16 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Giving us more hands-on learning opportunities is a good step.
- Hope it includes programs I am interested in.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
gig worker (Detroit, MI)
Age: 19 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Hoping the policy expansion helps expand automotive programs.
- Need stable income, not just gig work.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1000000000 (Low: $800000000, High: $1200000000)
Year 2: $1050000000 (Low: $850000000, High: $1260000000)
Year 3: $1100000000 (Low: $900000000, High: $1320000000)
Year 5: $1150000000 (Low: $950000000, High: $1400000000)
Year 10: $1250000000 (Low: $1050000000, High: $1500000000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The reauthorization and expansion of Job Corps will primarily address the educational and vocational needs of low-income youth, which is crucial for workforce development.
- Funding will need to accommodate increased participation, necessitating a significant increase in annual budget allocations for the program.
- Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms will need to be enhanced to assess program outcomes and effectiveness as eligibility expands.