# Strengthening Job Corps Act of 2025 - Plain Language Summary

## What This Bill Does

This bill updates and improves the Job Corps program, a federal workforce training initiative that helps young people gain job skills and employment. The bill makes several changes to who can participate, how the program operates, and how success is measured. It reauthorizes funding for the program and modernizes the language and rules governing how Job Corps campuses (formerly called "centers") function.

## Who Benefits or Is Affected

The primary beneficiaries are young people ages 16-24 who are seeking job training and employment assistance. The bill expands eligibility to include:
- Young people with disabilities (up to age 28)
- Justice-involved individuals (up to age 28)
- Low-income individuals
- Residents of economically disadvantaged areas (qualified opportunity zones)
- Pregnant individuals
- Veterans

Job Corps operators and administrators are also affected, as they must now meet new performance standards and can apply for contracts based on "best value and fair pricing."

## Key Changes

**Eligibility Expansion**: The bill raises the maximum age from 24 to 28 for people with disabilities or justice system involvement, and adds new categories of eligible participants including low-income individuals and those from opportunity zones.

**Performance Metrics**: The bill establishes specific measures to evaluate Job Corps success, including tracking whether graduates find jobs or continue education within 2-4 quarters after leaving the program, their earnings, and whether they obtain credentials or diplomas.

**Program Coordination**: The bill encourages Job Corps to work with other workforce programs (like YouthBuild) to allow applicants to submit a single application for multiple services.