History of Job Corps in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 29, 2025

Job Corps is a U.S. Department of Labor program providing free education and vocational training to individuals aged 16-24. It aims to improve the employability of young people by offering academic instruction, career technical training, and support services. The program focuses on helping participants obtain industry-recognized credentials, high school diplomas or GEDs, and secure employment in high-growth industries. Job Corps also emphasizes developing life skills and fostering responsible citizenship. It serves as a crucial resource for young adults seeking pathways to economic self-sufficiency and career advancement.

1962: Youth Unemployment Rate

In 1962, the youth unemployment rate was twice the non-youth unemployment rate. The Job Corps initiative was designed to allow youth members to improve national parks and forests for half of their time, and improve their basic education skills for the other half.

1963: Job Corps Operational Plans Developed

By 1963, the Job Corps' operational plans, costs, and budgets were well developed, including coordination with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service, and Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) executed among the agencies. Initiating legislation and budgetary authorizations were drafted by the Kennedy Administration and introduced in both houses of Congress.

1964: Job Corps and Vietnam War Manpower Shortages

In 1964, President Johnson suggested that the Job Corps could be useful in preparing young men to meet the mental and physical requirements for military enlistment due to military manpower shortages for the Vietnam War.

1964: Job Corps Inception

Since its inception in 1964 under the Economic Opportunity Act, Job Corps has served more than 2 million young people.

1993: Mathematica Evaluations and Reports

From 1993, Princeton University affiliate research organization Mathematica produced a series of evaluations and reports on the Job Corps for the agency's parent, the U.S. Department of Labor, and for independent academic journals.

1998: Mathematica Study

From 1998, according to a 2003 Mathematica study (withheld from the public by the government until 2006) indicated negative impacts on childless female participants' incomes through 2001. The Heritage Foundation cited the study in a 2009 critique

2001: Mathematica Study

In 2001, a Mathematica study was cited by the Heritage Foundation in a 2009 critique, noting that income gains for participants (vs. comparable non-participants) was "never more than $25.20" per week.

2003: Mathematica Study

In 2003, A Mathematica study (withheld from the public by the government until 2006) indicated negative impacts on childless female participants' incomes from 1998 through 2001, and was cited by the Heritage Foundation in a 2009 critique

2006: Release of Mathematica Study

In 2006, the government released a 2003 Mathematica study that indicated negative impacts on childless female participants' incomes from 1998 through 2001. The Heritage Foundation cited the study in a 2009 critique

2008: Mathematica Evaluations and Reports

Until 2008, Princeton University affiliate research organization Mathematica produced a series of evaluations and reports on the Job Corps for the agency's parent, the U.S. Department of Labor, and for independent academic journals.

2009: The Heritage Foundation Critique

In 2009, during the Obama administration, the conservative think-tank, The Heritage Foundation, described the program's 40-year history as a "record of failure".

2012: Police Reports

From 2012 to 2014, a CBS affiliate in Milwaukee checked records on their local Job Corps center and found 11 police reports.

2012: Job Corps Graduate Placement

In Program Year 2012, approximately 75 percent of Job Corps’ graduates were reportedly placed. Slightly more than 60 percent joined the workforce or enlisted in the military, while 13.5 percent of Job Corps’ graduates enrolled in education programs.

October 2014: CBS News Investigation

In October 2014, CBS News reported on its investigation of a Job Corps training center in North Texas, revealing issues such as constant fights, drug use, and pressure from management to keep quiet about such incidents.

2014: Police Reports

From 2012 to 2014, a CBS affiliate in Milwaukee checked records on their local Job Corps center and found 11 police reports.

2015: Washington Post Report

In 2015, the Washington Post noted violence and even murders had occurred at some Job Corps sites. The report also highlighted failures in reporting and investigating incidents of serious misconduct, such as drug abuse and assaults.

2016: Safety Incidents

From 2016 to 2017, a report from the Government Accountability Office cited over 13,500 safety incidents at Job Corps centers.

April 2017: Labor Department Inspector General Conclusion

In April 2017, the Trump administration's Labor Department inspector general concluded that the agency could not show "beneficial training outcomes."

2017: Safety Incidents

From 2016 to 2017, a report from the Government Accountability Office cited over 13,500 safety incidents at Job Corps centers.

2017: Labor Department Deputy Inspector General Testimony

In 2017, Labor Department deputy inspector general Larry D. Turner, testifying before a Congressional committee, reported that Job Corps officials and contractors often failed to report potentially serious criminal misconduct to law enforcement.

2017: Alexander Acosta on Job Corps Reform

In 2017, President Trump's Labor Secretary, Alexander Acosta, stated that the $1.7 billion annually budgeted Job Corps program "requires fundamental reform".

2018: Annual Budget

In 2018, the Job Corps had a $1.7 billion annual budget, providing about 37,000 training slots for young people annually.

2019: Youths Served Annually

As of 2019, Job Corps serves over 60,000 youths annually at Job Corps centers throughout the country.

2020: COVID-19 Pandemic and Job Corps

Starting in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic triggered the closure of Job Corps physical sites, and the organization attempted to shift to online education, which led to enrollment dropping by about 75 percent.