Years ago, I used to write grant proposals to the federal government for a company that operated several Job Corps training centers. I also produced recruitment videos and traveled to centers in the states of MI, TN, VT, and NY.
If I had a child, I'd try to find an alternative such as community college or other training or certificate programs.
The job placement rate was pretty low back then, and I can't imagine what it could possibly be now in this economy. Back then, many food service graduates got jobs at McDonalds after completing their programs, and the operating company considered that a successful placement in their reports...which is nuts.
For some kids, it's a last-ditch opportunity, and they have no choice. But if they can get into anything else, anywhere, I think that's a good thing to do.
I especially remember the center in TN... its ultra-roach-infested building...and I had to develop a video to make it look great. I did. I later heard it closed due to one of the students being murdered by another student. It didn't surprise me. I learned while there that I never should have been walking around that center without someone being with me.
I'm not familiar with NC Job Corps programs, but I can't imagine them being a whole lot different.
It's a good concept, but the implementation...not so good.
Maybe things have changed, who knows. I hope so.
The Job Corps Centers in NC, I've found, are all in the western part of NC. Maybe you can get some up-to-date info on the centers on that part of the forum.
Here are the locations in NC:
Kittrell
P O Box 278
1096 US Highway 1 South
Kittrell, NC 27544
Tel: (252) 438-6161
Fax: (252) 492-9630
http://kittrell.jobcorps.gov
Lyndon Johnson
3170 Wayah Road
Franklin, NC 28734
Tel: (828) 524-4446
Fax: (828) 369-7338
http://lyndonbjohnson.jobcorps.gov
Oconaluftee
502 Oconaluftee Job Corps Road
Cherokee, NC 28719
Tel: (828) 497-5411
Fax: (828) 497-6539
http://oconaluftee.jobcorps.gov
Schenck
98 Schenck Drive
Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
Tel: (828) 862-6100
Fax: (828) 877-3028
http://schenck.jobcorps.gov