Does Job Corps Work? Summary of the National Job Corps Study. Summary Report.

The National Job Corps Study is based on a national random sample of all eligible applicants to Job Corps in late 1994 and 1995. The sampled youth were assigned randomly to either a program group whose members could enroll in Job Corps or a control group whose members could enroll in all other programs available to them in their communities. Findings related to delivering services indicated Job Corps centers effectively deliver the planned services called for by the program model and Job Corps provides extensive education, training, and other services. Findings related to making a difference show Job Corps substantially increases the education and training services that youths receive and improves their skills and educational attainment; Job Corps generates employment and earnings gains; employment and earnings gains are found across most groups of students; the residential and nonresidential programs are each effective for the youths they serve; Job Corps significantly reduces involvement with crime; and Job Corps has modest or no impacts on a range of other outcomes. Outcomes regarding whether Job Corps is a good investment whose benefits exceed costs are Job Corps is cost effective despite its high costs; benefits during the study period are modest; benefits should continue; and Job Corps is a good investment. (YLB)