Job Corps Provides Opportunities for Afghan Evacuees at Task Force Holloman

Photo By Staff Sgt. Andrew Moore | Melodee Saiz, Outreach Admissions and Career Transitions Services Director, Albuquerque Job Corps Center, speaks to Afghan evacuees staying at Task Force Holloman about the benefits of Job Corps at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, Nov. 30, 2021. Job Corps offers to help young people between the ages of 16-24 with no-cost education benefits as well as job placement services. There are Job Corps centers located in 121 cities throughout the U.S. and provide no-cost education and vocational training to eligible applicants. The Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command, and in support of the Department of Homeland Security, is providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening, and general support for at least 50,000 Afghan evacuees at suitable facilities, in permanent or temporary structures, as quickly as possible. This initiative provides Afghan personnel essential support at secure locations outside Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Moore)  

HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, NM, UNITED STATES

12.02.2021

Story by Spc. Patience Gbedema 

Operation Allies Welcome - Operation Allies Refuge   

HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico -- Job Corps, an education and career training program, facilitated information sessions for Afghan evacuees at Task Force Holloman on Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, Nov. 30, 2021.

The program, administered by the United States Department of Labor, offers free education and vocational training to young men and women ages 16 to 24. The program is available in all 50 states, making it easily accessible for Afghan evacuees currently resettled or awaiting resettlement.

Task Force Holloman is the first Afghan evacuee processing installation Job Corps has visited.

“There are more than 120 Job Corps centers around the country,” said Melodee Saiz, Outreach Admissions and Career Transition Services Director at Job Corps. “Today, we currently have thousands of students enrolled in training programs across the United States.”

Enrolling in Job Corps will help Afghan young adults overcome challenges, such as limited previous schooling, and broadening their education and career options as they resettle in the United States.

“Job Corps’ mission is to help disadvantaged, often underrepresented youth between ages 16 and 24,” said Daniel Weeks, Director of Communications at Job Corps. “If traditional school wasn’t right for them, if they weren’t quite ready for the workforce, or if they didn’t finish high school, we provide them a pathway to rise up out of what could otherwise be a tough situation. For Afghan youth finding their way in the U.S., Job Corps could be a perfect fit, and a path to a meaningful career.”

Weeks said that the program will empower Afghans to achieve career goals and become financially independent. Job Corps students may train for careers including teaching, construction, health care, transportation, and culinary arts.

But Job Corps centers also need workers.

“In addition to explaining what we offer to students, we are also reaching out to adults who need jobs immediately,” said Weeks. “Job Corps centers currently have a need nationwide for people to work.”

In addition to providing support for Afghan evacuees with low English language proficiency, Weeks said that Job Corps prioritizes the importance of unity and inclusivity.

“We are employing a two pronged approach,” said Weeks. “We are reaching out to [Afghan] students to be trained and get the skills that they need to start meaningful careers. We are also reaching out to [Afghan] adults who need jobs. So the hope is that when the students enroll, there will also be adult workers on site that speak their language, understand their culture, and help make them feel more at home.”

These Job Corps sessions are one of many interagency efforts across Task Force Holloman to support Afghan evacuees during their resettlement to the United States.

• Date Taken: 12.02.2021
• Date Posted: 12.02.2021 18:14
• Story ID: 410361
• Location: HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, NM, US