job corps (Bangor, Gardiner: apartment, rent, loans)

[bvet4dog]

hi guys, how's it going?

I've been thinking on and off about job corps. I'm thinking about grabbing the opportunity to get free education/job training and such. I'm 20 years old, soon 21 in April. I'm having a real hard time between life/job/college and my living situation hasn't been great. I've been introduced to job corps and I'm semi interested. Now, i've had the impression that job corps was for those who are high school drop outs and such.

Now i have a HS diploma and i did one sementure at UMA university. I dont think i'll be back in the spring since my situations are really messed up. Now, i'm sort of looking for a guidence here, hopefully from those who has done it or are very well familare with it.

- How long is job corps? I saw that it was 8 months non stop or up to 2 years.
- I herd that they pay you to go there and get the education and the training. I'm wondering, how does that work? By weekly pay? And how much?
- Which job corps should i look into? Honestly, i'm pretty clueless here, hence i'm here to find out!
- What field or trades should i look into? (for better success - pay rate etc...)
- Herd that the job corps in maine is pretty bad. The one up in limestone is pretty bad since they have alot of black people and things happens up there. Now, i'm not sure if that's true since i have no influence or any informations regarding to what i've herd.
- Herd that you cant bring your vehicle.... So that means i cant drive up there and park my truck meanwhile i'm staying up there? I find that it's pretty silly, since i'm from Gardiner and i'm not flying up there!!!

Honestly, i'm not quite sure on what else to ask here. I guess i just want to know more about job corps in depth and see what i can do here. Also i'd like to see some feedbacks if any one here has any.

thanks a bunch!
- nick


PS: i did check limestone (loring job corps) web site and i didnt find much info that i'd like to know. So i figured that i could ask here. Sorry if there has been any questions that's been answered before.... I'd like to know and it'd be much appreciated for yall to help me out.

thank you!

[tankratt]

I have worked with some job corps kids, and they have been a good gruop of kid to work with, most are searching for a path in life and want to learn a trade or job skill, I have woked in the environmental field for the last 12 years, not tree hugging, butr the clean up of hazardous materials. We bring in job corps kids to help clean up boats used on an oil spill, or pleasure boats that happen to be in the area of that spill. They recieve the proper training, 40 hour haz woper, and we give them the chance to learn the ropes in our industry. How long a stint and what they pay i have no idea, but the experience and free training you will recieve is a good oppertunity for some people, but you need to make that call. Good luck bvet4dog

[RANGER.101ST]

well job corps have done some good for alot of people.but reading your post it seems like you need some insperation.so this is what you do.go rent the movie the persuite of happyness with will smith.true story.if he could do it you can do it.another option for you is the army learn a trade and get paid while you do.your a young person with your whole life ahead of you.and you can do any thing you want to.

[bvet4dog]

here's a problem. i'm hard of hearing and i would love to join the army. I did every thing i could do, inorder to join.... still cant. Which means i've done young marines, did alot of fairs and such. Military runs in my family, still i cant join.

I've been into environmental for a little bit, but i'm not sure what excatly. For sure i want nothing to do with the marine biology stuff. Perhaps a forest ranger of some sort but the $ money factor from that job isnt what i'm quite pleased with. This is one of the reason why i wanted to ask around here because i was hoping that i'd see opinons on what trades i should consider and such.

Here's a bit of info about me
- 21 years old in april
- loves animal
- likes wilderness
- like science / math (sorta) / lil bit of histry
- love going extream (snowmobiling, atving, rafting)

idk what else to say. I dont really work with motors / cars or much of a electronic nerd.

[Maine Writer]

I think you should talk with the folks at Job Corps. They'll be able to tell you a lot about the program and help you decide.

[peachie_in_maine]

I agree, contact them and set up an interview or meeting. That way you can really see what they have and how it works. Then make a decision.
My daughters ex boyfriend is in the one in limestone. It's a bit of a strict campus. To find out what I mean about strict you'd have to see someone to find rules and regs.
Good Luck!!

[Submariner]

Our youngest son is at Loring Job Corp.

He came home for Thanksgiving and again for Christmas. He really enjoys it.

He is doing their automotive diagnostic program.

He has a Public Ed HS diploma. Job Corp tests each student. Regardless of the student's previous education, they do remedial training to get each student up to the national standard.

[RHB]

I agree, you need to talk with them...find out who has what program (each site offers different programs).
From the research we did for the youngest, if you live on site then you can not have a car - there really is no need. They have buses for town trips, and activities. Some, like the one in Bangor, has a large commuter population, they have cars.
The "pay" is $25.00 (before taxes - yes they take out taxes) every two weeks - keep in mind, the feed you, provide work clothes, house you, provide laundry and personal hygiene products for you, there are free trips and activities, and a fully stocked rec center. They issue coats, hats, gloves, boots etc once a year, and there is a yearly clothing allowance for you to get your own personal clothing. The money isn't great - but let's be serious, you are getting an education/trade, all room and board, plus activities on the tax payers dime.
They also help with job placement, and getting set up in an apartment and deposits and such.
Your other question was about how long the program is...I think it depends on the program you enter, and how fast you learn.
If you went to the job corp site then you know there are regions, and you can go to any job corp in that region (I think you can go out of the region but that's different paperwork than what we were involved in) They will transport you to the closet Greyhound station - they will bring you up, send you back for a Christmas break, and a summer break (both 2 week breaks) The Thanksgiving visit was unexpected - Loring was running a bus to Bangor, and son hopped on the bus, as did a couple of others that lived in the great Bangor area.

The goal of the program is to give young people a trade with livable wages - give them a call, go talk to them...what do you have to lose?

[bvet4dog]

thanks guys, i appreciate it. Going up there right now for a visit isnt an option as of now. maybe in march i can.

[toadling81]

I also agree, Job Corps is a great thing not to be taken lightly! You can get all the help and training you need there, a great boost. You could also check into AmeriCorps, which is similar. They assign you to an easy sort of job and you get money for living expenses and health care, and then they also pay off college loans or give you money towards it, once you have served the 1 year. Those are both good options, go for it! You can google them to find out all you need to know, but it's better to talk to someone there. Good luck!