As Job Corps celebrates its 60th anniversary Aug. 20, the program honored seven new Hall of Fame recipients.
Dorian Jones from the Bamberg Job Corps Center received the Rising Star award during a ceremony held during the Job Corps Leadership Summit, the culmination of a yearlong anniversary celebration.
Jones is a member of the student government association at Bamberg Job Corps Center. After graduation, Jones plans to pursue advanced training in information technology.
“We are honored that a Bamberg Job Corps Center student has received the Rising Star award,” said Bamberg Job Corps Center Director Johnell Gaines. “Jones exemplifies dedication and involvement, having discovered his career path here at our center. With his plans to join our Advanced Training program in information technology after graduation; we are confident in his ability to create a bright future for himself and leave a lasting impact on his community.”
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From left are Acting National Director Erin McGee, Rising Star award winner Dorian Jones and Bamberg Job Corps Center Director Johnell Gaines.
The Rising Star award honors multiple Job Corps students who have excelled during their time in the program, establishing themselves as leaders in their training and community. Jones was one of seven recipients honored during the ceremony, which included awards for Hall of Fame, Successful Graduate, Staff Motivator of the Year and Rising Star.
The Leadership Summit event, held from Aug. 13-15 in Washington, brought together 245 students and staff from more than 120 campuses nationwide to celebrate the 60th anniversary, meet with government leaders, develop their leadership skills and tour the nation’s capital.
“Every student, alumnus and staff member forms Job Corps’ legacy, proves the success of the program and paves the way for future students to thrive for the next six decades,” said Erin McGee, acting national director of Job Corps.
“All of the honorees epitomize Job Corps’ spirit. Our students are motivated to rise to challenges thrown at them and work hard to create a successful future for themselves.”
This month marks the 60th anniversary of Job Corps, the U.S. Department of Labor’s largest training program, serving more than 50,000 students a year. Since 1964, the program has trained and educated more than 3 million individuals. It currently offers training in more than 100 areas across 10 industries, providing valuable skills and career opportunities to young adults nationwide.
Established as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Economic Opportunity Act, Job Corps has since expanded to include more than 120 centers, including campuses in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. South Carolina is home to one Job Corps campus: Bamberg.
“Since its inception, Job Corps’ mission has been, and continues to be, changing lives through good jobs,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor José Javier Rodríguez. “The 60th anniversary is a significant milestone to honor the past and look forward to the next 60 years of creating opportunities and career paths for young adults across the country.”
“For six decades, Job Corps has empowered young people with the skills and education needed for successful careers in high-demand industries,” McGee said. “As we celebrate our 60th anniversary, we honor our past while building a modernized program that continues to meet the needs of our students and the evolving workforce.”
To learn more about Job Corps and its 60th anniversary, visit www.jobcorps.gov/60-anniversary.
