Characteristics of State and Local Youth Training Programs Differ From Those of Job Corps

State and local entities have established a wide array of youth training programs using funds from various sources, including federal, state, and local governments and private contributors. However, we did identify two programs that had all four characteristics. Most state officials we surveyed told us their states had programs that provided disadvantaged youth with basic education. Residential programs operated by the states generally targeted specific populations—such as youths who have been involved with the court system, disabled individuals, or substance abusers. Youth Service and Conservation Corps Programs Resemble Job Corps

We found that state and local youth corps programs most closely resembled Job Corps. We found two youth corps programs that most closely resembled the Job Corps program from among the youth programs we identified; that is, they operated residential sites; served disadvantaged youth; offered basic education; and, to an extent, provided vocational training. Several differences exist between the California Conservation Corps and Job Corps. Seaborne is a residential training program targeted to high school dropouts.
Why GAO Did This Study

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO identified state and local youth training programs that incorporate four basic characteristics of the Job Corps Program: (1) serving a severely disadvantaged population; (2) providing basic education instruction; (3) focusing on vocational training services; and (4) providing those services in a residential setting.

What GAO Found

GAO found that: (1) while many state and local youth training programs feature, to some extent, some of the Job Corps' basic characteristics, most do not feature all four characteristics; (2) most youth training programs provide disadvantaged youth with basic education; (3) states' residential youth programs generally target specific populations such as youths involved in the court system, disabled youth, or substance abusers; (4) although state and local youth corps programs most closely resemble the Job Corps, few are residential; and (5) the California Conservation Corps and Seaborne Conservation Corps in Galveston, Texas, feature all four Job Corps characteristics, but differ from Job Corps in program operations.