GAO's Work on the Job Corps Program

In response to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Department of Labor's actions regarding: (1) the proposed termination of the Job Corps program; and (2) the status of $21.7 million provided in the 1984 Second Supplemental Appropriation Act for renovating Job Corps centers. In addition, GAO compared the characteristics of enrollees in the Job Corps and Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) programs. GAO found no indications that Labor had acted to dismantle the Job Corps program. Although the administration's budget proposes a phase-out of the program and a Labor staff member has been assigned to plan for possible phase-out, program activities have not been affected. Contracts for center operations have been renewed, Job Corps relocations have continued, and program enrollment has been stable. Although Labor has requested proposals for center renovation, it is unlikely that much of the appropriation will be obligated for the specific projects on which the appropriation was based by the last day of the obligation period. However, Labor plans to obligate the funds for other Job Corps renovations by that date. Finally, GAO found that participants of the Job Corps program are more likely than enrollees in the JTPA programs to be younger, high school dropouts, and black. While other job training program enrollees must be economically disadvantaged, Job Corps applicants must also be so culturally deprived that they need training in a residential setting.