Congresswoman Kathy Castor welcomed the inaugural class of students to the Pinellas County Jobs Corps Center today and challenged the students to get the career and academic skills they need to land jobs and have successful careers in our community.

“Our job corps center will be instrumental in training young men and women for the jobs of today and tomorrow,” Castor said. “We have very high expectations for you. Take advantage of the opportunities provided here for you.”

The Pinellas County Job Corps Center is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor. Students live on site and take classes so they have the tools they need to succeed in a 21^st Century job market.

The center also is hiring more than 100 employees, including teachers, counselors, cafeteria workers and support personnel.

“The Pinellas County Job Corps Center is a real economic boon to our community,” Castor said. “We are putting people to work right away, and training the next generation of workers for successful careers.”

Castor also urged the business community to support the students graduating from the job corps center and provide new jobs in the Tampa Bay area.

The Pinellas County Job Corps Center is open to economically challenged youth ages 16-24.