© 2024 WXPR
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Blackwell Job Corps Center Celebrates 50 Years

Dave Melancon-U.S. Forest Service

Monday the Blackwell Job Corps facility near Laona celebrated 50 years.

As part of the President Johnson's War On Poverty in the mid-1960's, Congress created the Job Corps, designed to provide young people with training needed for jobs. 50 years ago this week, the Job Corps facility opened in Forest county. The facility has 135 students ages 16-24 learning a variety of trades.

Blackwell Center Director Richard Lassiter says the students mainly come from Wisconsin, but some come from other areas to get studies in trades they can't get in their home areas. He says there are some misconceptions about Blackwell. He says the Job Corps site does not bring in people with criminal pasts, just young people looking for an opportunity...

"....everyone of the students goes through an interview process, an application process and they have to be screened before they can come here. They may have struggled, but they are really good people and they just want an opportunity to show everyone that, and that is what we offer..."

While Lassiter was being interviewed, students were going through rigorous physical training as part of wildfire training. Lassiter says he would like to see more students from this region look at Blackwell for training. Guidance Counselor Lorie Almazan says the work they put in sometimes is rewarded by former students who have found steady employment and a new life. She relates an email from a student...

"....one of our students, Armondo sent me an email that said,' thank you for all you did, you never let me quit. If not for Job Corps, I might have been dead in a ditch, but because of Job Corps, I now look forward to going out in the world and making my way and affecting other people's lives as much as you guys have affected mine..."

Blackwell officials say 75 percent of graduates get full time employment in construction, nursing assistant-home health aid, office administration, Union bricklaying and carpentry and welding. The U.S. Forest Service operates 27 Job Corps centers. Job Corps students are most widely known for contributions in urban forestry, hazardous fuels reduction, construction and firefighting.

Up North Updates
* indicates required
Related Content