Rep. Cuellar Announces Over $1.7 Billion for Job Corps

Laredo hosts one of four job corps centers in Texas  Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced over $1.7 billion in funding for the 2018 fiscal year for Job Corps a free training program that helps American youth develop job skills find employment and graduate high school or earn a GED. This is a significant funding increase of $14.5 million from the 2017 fiscal year Omnibus Appropriations Bill. Job Corps run by the U.S. Department of Labor is open to low-income youth ages 16-24 with legal status in the United States to help improve the quality of their lives through vocational and academic training. It provides technical training education counseling and related assistance as they complete their schooling or find work. The Laredo Job Corps Center is one of four Job Corps locations in Texas with a capacity of 220. In 2015 71 of its participants had a full-time job or began military service. 64 of participants had received a GED or high school diploma and 72.8 had completed career technical training. All those rates are higher than the national average.

Congressman Cuellar said Job Corps puts young people on the path to the American dream through hard work and education. Not only does it set them up for economic success it gives them the accomplishment pride and purpose that comes from earning a diploma or technical certification and beginning a meaningful career. In my district the Laredo Job Corps Center serves hundreds of young people every year who become valued members of our community. Thats why I am a former Co-Chair of the Friend of Job Corps Congressional Caucus and why I added over $1.7 billion this year."

The Gary Job Corps Center in San Marcos is the largest Job Corps location in the state. It is operated by the Management & Training Corporation whose Vice President Celeste McDonald said Every Job Corps student in Texas and across the country owes a debt of gratitude to Congressman Cuellar for his unwavering support of them and the program. Thanks to him over 87 of Job Corps graduates have started their careers equipped with the certifications skills and know-how to strengthen our economy." The provisions are part of the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2018 which passed the House and Senate this month funds the federal government for the remainder of the 2018 fiscal year. For more information on Job Corps call (800) 733-5627. They have recruiting websites in English (https://recruiting.jobcorps.gov/) and Spanish (https://recruiting.jobcorps.gov/Home/Index). Constituents who need assistance with any federal agency or benefit are encouraged to contact Congressman Cuellar by filling out the form on his website www.cuellar.house.gov or visiting one of his offices in Laredo Mission San Antonio and Rio Grande City.