Job Corps heeds call to meet job shortages

CBJC to consider expanding health care programs

MOSES LAKE — The Columbia Basin Job Corps is one of many Job Corps centers around the nation that is heeding the call to expand its vocational programs as part of the "Big Bodacious Plan" initiative.

The decade-long plan is part of a nationwide effort to meet a growing need for workers in health care, homeland security and national defense.

Funding for the initiative would come from a combination of federal dollars and private and public sector partners to expand Job Corps capacity in training employees in these three areas.

"We would like to add two more trades in addition to the certified nursing assistant and pharmacy degrees currently offered," said Mike Donahue, the CBJC acting center director.

According to the National Job Corps Association, the 10-year initiative would train 60,000 new graduates in health occupations and 50,000 in homeland security.

"We're not sure we can look at adding additional programs now, but it is something our center is considering for the future," said Bonnie Eagar, the work-based learning coordinator at CBJC. "There is a need in the country and meeting that need is what Job Corps is all about."

Out of the 241 students currently enrolled at the CBJC, 100 of those are taking courses to train for health care related fields.

CBJC also administers the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test (ASVAB) once every quarter as well as hosts military days throughout the year for students interested in pursuing a career in the military or other defense-related fields.

"In the past our students have scored exceptionally well on the ASVAB," said Eagar.

There are 122 Job Corps centers around the country that serve 70,000 students annually.