Drawing inspiration from college athletics and workforce opportunities, the Jacksonville Job Corps campus held a Signing Day ceremony today to honor new students who have enrolled in the U.S. Department of Labor’s tuition-free career training program and taken control of their futures.

A group of 30 new students participated in the ceremony alongside National Director of Job Corps Rachel Torres and National Football League Hall of Famer Darrell Green.

“They’re five-star athletes to us and to their future employers,” Torres said. “Today we honor their decision to join our team. The Jacksonville workforce needs them.”  

“It was an incredible honor to be part of the Jacksonville Job Corps Signing Day ceremony and witness the determination of these remarkable students,” Green said. “Giving back and supporting the next workforce generation is a cause very close to my heart, and I couldn’t be prouder to stand alongside these young individuals as they embark on their journey to success. While the Jacksonville Jaguars are set to make their mark in London, we were right here, bringing a taste of the NFL’s spirit to your fine city, and it’s been an unforgettable experience.”

Job Corps is tuition-free for income-eligible young people ages 16–24, and students can apply and enroll at any time. Job Corps provides hands-on career skills training, on-campus housing, meals, health care and job search assistance, and the program also offers education classes to students seeking their high school diploma. Applicants may qualify if they receive SNAP, TANF, or free or reduced school lunch, or if they are experiencing homelessness or are a foster youth.

The Signing Day ceremony also featured a special announcement of the first-ever Jacksonville Job Corps Hall of Fame. Three graduates were inducted into the Hall of Fame—all successfully completed the Advanced Manufacturing training in partnership with Johnson & Johnson.  

Jacksonville Job Corps offers career training programs in Advanced Manufacturing Production Technology, Carpentry, Certified Nursing Assistant, Certified Medical Assistant, Computer Technician A+, Computer Technician Network+, Electrical, Facilities Maintenance, Material Handling and Distribution Operations, Office Administration, and Pharmacy Technician.  

“This ceremony symbolizes our students’ dedication to shaping their destinies and seizing the workforce opportunities that lie ahead at Job Corps,” Jacksonville Job Corps Center Director Paul Wykoff said. “Standing alongside National Director of Job Corps Rachel Torres and legendary National Football League Hall of Famer Darrell Green, we are reminded that greatness is attainable through hard work, dedication and mentorship.”

On Wednesday, Sept. 27, the campus also hosted the “Empowering a Younger Jacksonville Workforce Through Education and Mentorship” panel featuring Amanda DeVoe, news anchor with News4JAX; Lakeska Burton, director of Community Initiatives with Mayor Donna Deegan; Kari DeYoung, People Operations coordinator with the Jacksonville Jaguars; and Kimberly Grey, operations director in Florida for Eckerd Connects Workforce Development.