$12M in Grants Will Include Court-Involved Youth
The money is intended to expand the youth skills training and education program
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has announced the availability of $12 million to develop the Job Challenge program to expand the existing National Guard Youth Challenge program to include youth once involved with the juvenile justice system. According to the DOL, the funding will help facilitate partnerships with the justice system to recruit court-involved youth interested in participating in the program and provide them with education and training to obtain an industry-recognized credential.
"The youth unemployment rate continues to remain very high. The barriers to a good job are even higher for those with juvenile records," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez. "This grant competition helps break down barriers and provides these youth with opportunities to succeed through effective, evidence-based education and job training programs."
The Job Challenge grant will help existing Youth Challenge programs expand to provide court-involved youth with vocational education including the technical skills required to perform a specific job, and on-the-job training. Participants will receive support in the development of their career and academic goals and understanding long-term career and education pathway options. Most importantly, participants will be provided work-based learning, and actual work experience through field trips, job-shadowing and other opportunities to expose them to additional career paths and prepare them for the world of work.