Job Corps holding second park day in Cape

In an effort to be more visible in the community, the Cape Girardeau Jobs Corps office is sponsoring an information event today.

Its second annual Day in the Park will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Arena Park in the main shelter.

Job Corps, a program through the U.S. Department of Labor, helps people age 16 to 24 receive education and job placements. Recruits attend training centers to receive GED, high school or vocational education. In Missouri there are centers in Puxico, St. Louis and Excelsior Springs.

Last year about 50 people attended the event, which includes involvement from other service agencies. It helped increase awareness of available services, said Job Corps' Shalawnda Wickware.

"Referrals increased drastically from our agencies," she said.

The Cape Girardeau office covers more than 20 counties throughout the eastern part of the state. Wickware and Melissa McLean, an admissions counselor at the office, recruit and provide job placements throughout the region.

Each week, the office receives an average of six to 10 referrals from other agencies, including schools and social service offices, Wickware said.

After training at the centers, recruits are eligible for job placement services for up to 18 months.

Because of the sluggish economy, she said, the Cape Girardeau office has received more requests for services, many from people who are too old to qualify.

"We've received so many phone calls," she said.

Likewise, it is becoming harder to find job placements for people who complete the training, she said. More Job Corps graduates are pursuing additional education at schools like Three Rivers Community College and Metro Business College.

Today's event will include pizza, a kickball game and a local Job Corps graduate who will speak about his experience with the program.

"Any questions that you have about Jobs Corps, definitely present them," she said of the event.

abusch@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

2711 Thomas Dive Cape Girardeau, MO