ETA News Release: [Sept. 30, 2005]
Contact Name: David James
Phone Number: 202-693-4676
National Head of Employment and Training Opens Hartford's
New Job Corps Academy
HARTFORD, Conn. - U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Emily Stover DeRocco was on hand today to preside over the grand opening of the Job Corps Academy in Hartford, Conn. DeRocco was joined by U.S. Reps. John Larson and Nancy Johnson, Connecticut Department of Labor Commissioner Shaun Cashman and Hartford Mayor Eddie A. Perez for a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by a tour of the facility.
"Hartford is now a model for a system that is truly valuable in today's economy," said DeRocco. "It began over a decade ago with the vision to change an area of the city from blighted housing projects into a real neighborhood, adding value and culture to the city of Hartford. Hundreds of individuals and organizations came together, providing the commitment and funding needed to transform a community and, with the leadership of Mayor Eddie Perez, Governor Jodi Rell and others, to deliver a Job Corps Center to this community and to the city of Hartford."
The groundbreaking for the Hartford Job Corps Academy took place in 2003. Construction was completed earlier this year with the Hartford community raising approximately $4 million to help build student dorms, so that the facility would open as a residential center. The center occupies 10 acres and will serve approximately 200 students with most living on campus. Of the 98 individuals hired to work at the Hartford Job Corps Academy, approximately 75 percent are from the local area.
Vocational training will focus on areas prevalent in the local economy, including financial services, carpentry, construction, manufacturing, business technology, health occupations and careers in the hospitality industry. Hartford's vocational offerings will prepare students for employment in high growth industries and reflect the Department of Labor's efforts to prepare workers for careers in demand by employers.
The Hartford Job Corps Academy will be operated by the Education Management Corporation (EMC). Joyce Jackson will serve as the center's Director.
Job Corps is the nation's largest and most comprehensive residential education and job training program for economically disadvantaged young people ages 16 through 24.
For more information about Job Corps, please visit http://jobcorps.doleta.gov.
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