Norton with US Dept of Labor Secretary Solis to Visit a Major Expansion of Job Corp in DC (8/11/09)

Norton with U.S. Dept. of Labor Secretary Solis to Visit a Major Expansion of Job Corps in D.C.

August 11, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will join U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis on a visit of two new dormitories opening at the Potomac Job Corps Center at D.C. Village in Southwest today at 2 p.m. The new facilities will accommodate 272 more students in the federally-funded residential education and vocational training program run by the Dept. of Labor. Norton said expanding the best training program in the country right here in D.C. could not come at a better time. "This state-of-the-art program is known for training people for real jobs," Norton said. "Even in this economy, employers are looking for people trained and skilled."

The program offers disadvantaged students, ages 16-24, 13 training in trades including: carpentry, H-VAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system), security, brick laying, electrical wiring, business technology, CVS pharmacy technician, cement masonry, plumbing, culinary arts, facility maintenance, and transportation communication. The two-year program, offered at no cost to students, also assists students with obtaining their high school diplomas, GED and gaining college admittance. Students learn "life" and social skills and must complete 360 internship hours to gain practical experience, and they are assisted with job placement at the completion of the program.

Noting that in this recession, the 25-year-old Potomac Job Corps is attracting students who already have a high school diploma and college credits to get a trade, Norton said programs that prepare students for construction jobs and other labor jobs that will be created by stimulus funds is especially important.