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 Printer-Friendly Version
ETA News Release: [09/21/2006]
Contact Name: Melinda Thielen or Mike Volpe
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676 or x3984
Release
Number: 06-1631-NAT
Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao Launches Job Corps STARS Initiative
Three-Pronged Approach to Help Students Learn Math and Language Skills
WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced the launch of a Job Corps initiative designed to improve students' preparedness for high-demand occupations of the 21st century. The new program called STARS (Speakers, Tutors, Achievement, Retention and Success) will increase Job Corps students' academic achievement, career skills attainment and retention in the program by providing tutors and mentors to assist them with academics and personal skills.
"The STARS Initiative is designed to help Job Corps meet its historic objective — helping young Americans overcome barriers to employment," said Secretary Chao. "This is a three-pronged approach to help students acquire the language and math skills needed to succeed in the 21st century worldwide economy."
The Job Corps STARS Initiative addresses a top Labor Department priority: ensuring that workers attain the education and skills to compete in the new, changing knowledge-based economy," Secretary Chao continued. "The level of education has a direct impact on a worker's lifetime earnings. By increasing motivation and stressing the need to stay in school, our Job Corps students will take the first step toward a life of employment choices."
Students will have the opportunity to hear and interact with real-life achievers who will convey what it takes to succeed and the challenges they will face. Tutors will assist students with academic assistance, based on their individual needs. Mentors will provide guidance in career technical areas and offer strategies to enhance personal development and life skills.
"STARS will increase student retention in Job Corps, ensure completion of their program of study, and ultimately prepare them for the 21st century workplace," added Job Corps National Director Esther R. Johnson. Commencement of the STARS initiative was announced at the Woodland Job Corps Center in Laurel, Md.
Thirteen Job Corps centers across the country have been selected for the STARS pilot phase. Besides Woodland, they include: Oneonta Job Corps Academy, Oneonta, N.Y.; Exeter Job Corps Center, Exeter, R.I. ; Whitney M. Young, Jr. Job Corps Center, Simpsonville, Ky.; Old Dominion Job Corps Center, Monroe, Va.; Batesville Job Corps Center, Batesville, Miss.; Homestead Job Corps Center, Homestead, Fla.; Atterbury Job Corps Center, Edinburgh, Ind.; Gerald R. Ford Job Corps Center, Grand Rapids, Mich.; Little Rock Job Corps Center, Little Rock, Ark.; Talking Leaves Job Corps Center, Tahlequah, Okla.; Centennial Job Corps Center, Nampa, Idaho; and Treasure Island Job Corps Center, San Francisco, Calif.
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