JOB CORPS CAN TURN DREAMS INTO REALITY

Leonard Owens practiced welding technique as his teacher, Neal Ayers, observed at Mingo Job Corps near Puxico.

During a recent year, as many as 85 summer fires were reported in the Mark Twain Forest in Missouri.

Firefighting crews from the Mingo Job Corps responded to many of the forest fires.

Trained firefighting crews from the Mingo Center have battled forest fires in their home state, and in California and Arizona, said Mingo Job Corps Center Director Don Riggle.

"We received an inquiry about our firefighting crews last week from Arizona," said Riggle. "If they're needed, they can be en route within two to three hours."

The Mingo Job Corps is more than just a training center for young people, said Riggle. "The students here participate in a variety of projects, from the United Gospel Rescue Mission to Adopt-a-Highway cleanups to building homes for Habitat For Humanity.

"And, forest fire fighting," adds Riggle We have a number of trained firefighters here."

As many as 224 students attend the Mingo Job Corps Center, working on programs to prepare them for the work world.

"These young men and women come from some of the most difficult backgrounds imaginable," said Riggle "I find myself amazed that some of these students are willing to commit themselves with so much vigor to their pursuit of happiness."

The Mingo Job Corps program is just one of many throughout the United States designed to provide training for disadvantaged young students. The program is administered by the Employment and Training Administration of the U. S. Department of Labor.

Every morning, more than 200 students get up at 6 o'clock and work toward making their life dreams a reality.

One of the training specialties at the center near Puxico is heavy equipment, but a number of graduates are trained in brick masonry, computer repair, nursing, as electrician's assistants, welders, plumbers, and up to 20 specialties.

After 10 months at Mingo, students can go into advanced training at Job Corps centers elsewhere.

More than 110 Job Corps campuses exist nationwide, including those in the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The program has 10 geographical regions.

More than 75 percent of those who enroll in Job Corps become employed, obtain further training, or join the military, said Riggle.

"For young people who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, Job Corps offers an opportunity to become productive, taxpaying members of society.

Job Crops, which is the nation's largest and most comprehensive residential education and job training program for people ages 16 through 24 and provides a ready-made pool of skilled employees.

"It works for everyone," said Riggle for the disadvantaged youths who attend the program, for communities where Job Corps Centers are located, and for employers who hire Job Corps students.

"As many as 65 to 70 percent of our students graduate at Mingo," said Riggle, "and, of the graduates, 80 percent are finding jobs."

The center has facilities for 240 students.

"We had 240 here Wednesday of last week," said Riggle, "but we will graduate a group soon to get back to the 224 total. Students graduate every month."

Many people have never heard of the Job Corps programs, said Riggle, and, many of those who have heard of the program, in most cases, do not have the real picture.

First, this is not an alcohol or drug rehab center.

In fact, one requirement or enter is that students be alcohol or drug free.

These are hard-working students who want to earn their high school diplomas, or GED certificates, and learn to become motivated, competent and reliable.

The Job Corps, said Riggle, trains its students to meet these needs by developing their work ethic and entry-level skills so they can get quality, long-term jobs.

Job Corps' unique "holistic" training approach, which integrates academic, vocational, and social skills training in a residential environment conducive to learning, Job Corps students offer a variety of industry employers a ready-made pool of skilled employees.

The School-to-Work training initiatives at Job Corps will also contribute to employer awareness of the program of enrollment.

Students interested in applying for Job Corps training may contact a Job Corps center. Missouri centers are near Puxico, St. Louis and Excelsior Springs, and in Southern Illinois, at Golconda.

Students in the program live in dorms. They receive books and equipment and free meals. They also receive allowances.