Number and Size of Job Corps Centers Determine State Capacity

Job Corps program capacity differs widely among the states because the number of centers in each state differs, and the size of individual centers within the states varies substantially. 1). Extent of Out-of-State Assignments Differed Among States

Considerable variation existed among the states in the extent to which Job Corps participants were assigned to out-of-state centers (see fig. 3). 3.) Out-of-State Assignments Are Distant

Job Corps participants assigned to centers outside their state of residence were sent to centers that were, on average, over 4 times as distant as the in-state center closest to a participant’s residence. 5). Participants Employed in State of Residence

Regardless of where Job Corps participants were assigned, those who found jobs usually did so in their home state. 6). 7.) Planned Expansion Will Increase Capacity in Some States

The Job Corps program’s plan to establish nine new centers over the next 2 years will provide some additional capacity that is needed in states with existing centers, but will increase capacity in three other states to about twice the in-state demand. Comparison of Key Data for Program Years 1994 and 1993

Percentage assigned to centers in home state Percentage sent to centers in other states Percentage of state residents assigned to out-of-state centers Number of states assigning 0-24 percent of state residents out of state Number of states assigning 25-49 percent of state residents out of state Number of states assigning 50-74 percent of state residents out of state Number of states assigning 75%+ state residents out of state Percentage of Job Corps participants assigned to centers in same region as residence Average distance traveled (in miles) by participants assigned to out-of-state centers Average distance (in miles) to nearest in-state center for those participants assigned to out-of-state centers Percentage of center participants from out of state Number of centers having 0-24 percent of participants from out of state Number of centers having 25-49 percent of participants from out of state Number of centers having 50-74 percent of participants from out of state Number of centers having 75+ percent participants from out of state Number of participants obtaining jobs Number of participants obtaining jobs in home state Percentage obtaining jobs in home state Number of participants that were or could have been trained in state (continued)

States Within Job Corps Regions, Program Year 1994

Comparison of State Program Capacity With In-State Demand, Program Year 1994

Percentage of Participants Assigned Out of State, Program Years 1994 and 1993

	Percentage of Participants Assigned Out of State, Program Year 1994

	Percentage of Participants Assigned Out of State, Program Year 1993

Number of Nonresidents Brought Into States Compared With Number of Residents Sent Out of State, Program Years 1994 and 1993

Number of participants who were Brought in from other states (continued)
Number of participants who were Brought in from other states Number of participants who were Brought in from other states (continued)
Number of participants who were Brought in from other states The centers in Alaska and North Dakota (one in each state) were not fully operational in program year 1993. GAO Comments

1. 2. 4. 8. 9.
Why GAO Did This Study

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the: (1) locations of Job Corps centers and their capacity by state; (2) extent to which Job Corps participants are trained and placed in jobs in the state in which they reside; and (3) reasons why participants are sent to centers outside their state of residence.

What GAO Found

GAO found that: (1) Job Corps program capacity differs among states because the number of centers in each state differs and the size of individual centers within each state differs; (2) in 1994, 41 percent of the 64,000 participants who lived in states with Job Corps centers were assigned to centers outside their home state; (3) the extent of out-of-state assignments varied among states; (4) participants assigned to centers outside their home state were sent to centers that were, on average, over 4 times as distant as the closest in-state center; (5) in many states, Job Corps residents were sent to out-of-state centers, while nonresidents were enrolled at in-state centers; (6) the number of nonresidents varied among individual Job Corps centers during 1994; (7) regardless of where participants were assigned, those who found jobs usually did so in their home state; (8) participants were assigned to centers outside their home state to fully utilize centers or to satisfy particular vocational preferences; (9) the recent trend has been to assign program residents to in-state centers; (10) in 1994, most in-state Job Corps centers had sufficient capacity to accommodate almost all in-state Job Corps participants; and (11) the nine new centers will provide some needed additional capacity in some states and increase capacity in three states to about twice the in-state demand.