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ETA News Release: [01/12/2004]
Contact Name: Lorette Post
Phone Number: (202) 693-3984

Department of Labor and Nortel Networks Kidz Online to Offer Youth Technology Training

WASHINGTON—Nortel Networks Kidz Online (NNKOL) and the Employment and Training Administration’s Job Corps today announced a pilot project to provide basic information technology skills to new Job Corps students at three centers around the country, including Potomac Job Corps Center, Washington, D.C.; Woodstock Job Corps Center, Frederick, Md., and Los Angeles Job Corps Center, Calif.

As part of the pilot, the selected centers will integrate NNKOL’s digital training resources into their Career Preparation Period (CPP) curriculum. The CPP is a 60-day required experience to familiarize new Job Corps enrollees with basic computer and employability skills and to prepare them for life and training on Job Corps campuses.

“We’re excited about this opportunity to employ a state-of-the-art digital training model to improve the information technology curriculum in our Job Corps program,” said Emily Stover DeRocco, assistant secretary of labor for employment and training. “So many of the jobs available in high-growth industries require some information technology, Internet and web production skills. This kind of training early in the Job Corps experience opens up a wealth of options for students.”

Job Corps students will use digital cameras, word processing, MS Front Page and a range of research and writing skills to develop a website hosted by Kidz Online. Participants will create content that will serve as a legacy for future CCP students to access and improve. Based on the success of the pilot, Job Corps plans to replicate the CCP program at its 118 Job Corps Centers nationwide and to integrate NNKOL resources into other educational and vocational training curricula.

NNKOL is a non-profit digital educational service. From its Digital Studio at the Center for Innovative Technology in Herndon, Va., NNKOL helps students and teachers increase their knowledge of the rapidly changing world of technology. Nortel Networks, the signature sponsor of Kidz Online, is providing the optical network hardware that enables millions of students and teachers to remotely access the programs and services of the organization. Learn more at www.nnkol.org.

The nation’s largest and most comprehensive residential education and job training program for at-risk youth, aged 16 to 24, Job Corps has served more than 2 million disadvantaged young people since 1964. Administered by the U.S. Labor Department’s Employment and Training Administration, Job Corps continues to provide 70,000 students each year at 118 centers throughout the country the academic, vocational and social skills training they need to gain independence. For more information, visit Job Corps’ website at jobcorps.dol.gov.

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