Job Corps is the nation's largest and most successful residential and educational workforce training program for economically disadvantaged youth, ages 16 through 24. The 41-year old program serves nearly 65,000 young Americans annually and has trained and educated more than two million young people since the first Job Corps Center opened in 1965. In the program year ending June 30, 2004, 90 percent of all Job Corps graduates were successfully placed, with 76 percent getting jobs, 3 percent enlisting in the military, and 11 percent enrolling in higher education. Job Corps has a zero tolerance policy for drugs and violence. Successful applicants to Job Corps are not involved in adjudicative procedures.

Consistent with Department of Labor criteria, proposals should include:

• Sites with 15 or more acres, preferably donated or available for a long-term lease ($1 year). Land will not be on the community tax rolls if it is selected as a Job Corps Center site.
• Buildable for up to approximately 150,000 square feet of indoor space.
  • Site would include academic, residential, administrative, and recreational facilities built by the Department of Labor, unless donated.
  • Site would also include athletic fields and green space.
  • Access to utilities including water, sewer, electric, etc.

• Proximity to police and fire.
• Proximity to emergency healthcare.
• Proximity to public transportation.
• Proximity to employment base seeking skilled entry-level workers.

The Task Force intends to submit one or more sites in its proposal to the Department of Labor later this year as part of a national solicitation. Final site selection will be dependent upon New Hampshire's success in winning the competition for a new Job Corps Center.

Deadline for suggested sites and supporting materials is May 10, 2006.

Please submit all comments and questions in writing to: Dick Anagnost, Chair, Job Corps Center Task Force, 64 Old Suncook Rd., Concord NH 03301

To download a printable version of the RFP click here.
***Archived 8/21/2006***

Mike Colby named new Task Force Director

Mike Colby of Manchester has been named Task Force Coordinator and is putting together the many pieces of a complex NH Job Corps Center proposal. Mike is no stranger to business, education and government in New Hampshire. As chief-of-staff to former Manchester Mayor Bob Baines, he has been familiar with Task Force work. A former vice president for economic development and advocacy at the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Mike made many worthwhile contacts with state legislators and municipal officials throughout New Hampshire. Mike Colby can be reached at nhjobcorps@gmail.com. His telephone is 603-413-6813. ***Archived 8/21/2006*** Job Corps Association Seeks 4 New Job Corps New Hampshire's Job Corps Task Force is a member of the National Job Corps Association, a consortium of public and private organizations working together to improve Job Corps. Recently, Richard F. Schubert, Chairman of NJCA, offered testimony to the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations regarding the Fiscal Year 2005 (FY05) budget for Job Corps. You will find encouraging support for expansion of Job Corps Centers in Mr. Schubert's remarks. To read the testimony, please click here.: ***Archived 2/24/2006*** Senator Gregg Inserts Special Language for NH Job Corps Led by U.S. Senator Judd Gregg, the New Hampshire congressional delegation is working very hard to see that New Hampshire finally receives federal funding for a Job Corps Center. A key element in winning US Department of Labor approval for a Job Corps Center was Senator Gregg's insertion in the Fiscal Year 04 Omnibus Appropriation report that recognizes New Hampshire's desire for a Center. Task Force Chair Dick Anagnost said Senator Gregg's effort to include special language in the appropriations bill was a giant step forward for New Hampshire's project. "By having Congress recognize that New Hampshire is only one of two States in the nation without a Job Corps, and by directing the Department of Labor to provide technical assistance for site selection, Senator Gregg made it clear that it is time for a New Hampshire Job Corps Center," said Anagnost. The language Senator Gregg included in the conference report: Key Language In FY04 Omnibus Appropriations Bill Regarding A New Hampshire Job Corps Center The conference agreement includes $1,546,216,000 for Job Corps. Within the total, $1,416,000 is provided for continuing operations of the program and $130,216,000 is for renovation and construction of Job Corps centers. The conferees recognize that New Hampshire is only one of two States in the Nation without a Job Corps Center and that it desires to open a center in the State. The conferees intend to begin providing funding for at least one new Job Corps Center in fiscal year 2005 and expect the Department of Labor to give priority consideration to applications from States currently without a Job Corps Center. Further, the conferees direct the Department of Labor to provide technical assistance to the State of New Hampshire to identify one of more sites that would be suitable for consideration for future expansion of Job Corps. The conferees also note that the Job Corps network currently includes at least 5 existing satellite centers. The conferees are aware of entities in Iowa and other States working with local Job Corps sites to replicate this model. The conferees believe this is a low-cost option to expand the existing network and urge the Secretary to assist in the planning of new satellite centers. The Secretary shall issue a report no later than August 31, 2004 identifying the barriers experienced by the existing Centers and a comprehensive plan for expanding the satellite concept. The conferees commend Job Corps for its recent efforts to increase opportunities for participants to earn a high school diploma through the establishment of its High School Diploma Initiative (HSDI). While Job Corps' success rate to date is encouraging, significant obstacles and the State and local levels make it extremely difficult for the program to ensure that all participants, regardless of center location, have access to the opportunity to obtain a high school diploma. The conferees urge the Department of Labor, in consultation with the Department of Education, States, and local educational agencies to examine obstacles to Job Corps' participants' ability to earn and receive high school diplomas from a local educational agency. ***Archived 2/24/2006*** nhJobCorps Special Supplement in The Union Leader Governor Craig Benson's Job Corps Center Task Force has published a special 12-page supplement in the March 22 editions of The Union Leader. Catch up on the latest Job Corps news by downloading the PDF document: nhJobCorps Special Supplement in The Union Leader (932K download) ***Archived 2/24/2006***