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Eligibility Requirements

  • Legal permanent U.S. resident
  • 17-20 years old (cadets who are 16 may be accepted if they turn 17 during the program. Cadets who turn 21 during the program may be accepted.)
  • Successfully graduated within the last four cycles of SC Youth ChalleNGe Academy
  • Unemployed or underemployed
  • Drug free (cadets are tested throughout the cycle)
  • Not currently on parole or probation for other than juvenile status offenses, not awaiting sentencing, not under indictment or charges, not convicted of a crime that is considered a felony
  • Must be physically and mentally capable of completing the program (Note: pregnancy testing shall not be used as a part of the screening and selection process for program participation.)

Phases

Residential

The Job ChalleNGe residential phase lasts from 8-20 weeks depending on what vocational or academic program the cadet chooses. Some vocational programs that are consistently available at Job ChalleNGe include welding, HVAC, construction, patient care, and academic college courses. During this phase, cadets build upon the 8 Core Components instilled during Youth ChalleNGe while focusing on job and career readiness. As cadets create Post-Residential Action Plans, staff will assist them in choosing which training and certifications to complete outside of their vocational program to maximize their skills and enhance their resumes. Each cadet will complete tasks that will help lead to placement by graduation, whether in jobs, school, or the military.

Post-Residential

The Post-Residential phase of Job ChalleNGe is similar to Post-Residential in Youth ChalleNGe with the exception of required mentor involvement. For Job ChalleNGe, the Placement Coordinator will maintain contact with each graduated cadet on at least a monthly basis for twelve months. The goal of this phase is for cadets to follow through with the action plans they created during the residential phase and continue to develop success in their lives and in their careers.

8 Core Components

Job Skills

The Placement Coordinator will work with each cadet to complete career assessments, instruction and demonstration of job search and application skills, assistance with resume writing, and completion of mock interviews. The Placement Coordinator will determine placement priorities with each cadet and assist in completing tasks to work toward placement, such as job applications, college and financial aid applications, and connections to military recruiters.

Responsible Citizenship

Cadets will continue learning about responsible citizenship in Job ChalleNGe with a focus on the electoral process and the importance of voting. Cadets who are eligible to vote will be encouraged to participate via absentee ballot in voting opportunities that occur during their residential phase. Cadets who turn 18 during Job ChalleNGe residential phase will be registered for selective service and will register to vote.

Health and Hygiene

Cadets will review health and hygiene practices learned in Youth ChalleNGe and will also learn about healthcare subjects such as understanding symptoms, diagnoses, medications and drug labels; understanding insurance and how to read EOBs and medical bills; and how to schedule and prepare for doctor visits.

Service to Community

Cadets of Job ChalleNGe must complete a minimum of 5 hours of community service each month during their residential phase.

Leadership/Followership

Cadets function in rotating leadership positions and participate in team-building exercises. Cadets are required to perform basic military customs and courtesies.

Life Coping Skills

Cadets will review life-coping skills learned in Youth ChalleNGe and build upon life-coping skills that lead toward independent living. These skills include subjects in finance such as personal budgeting, financing education, buying a car, and managing money with roommates. Skills will also include tenant/landlord responsibilities, basics of home maintenance and basics of auto maintenance. Cadets will receive a $50 per month living allowance during the Residential Phase of Job ChalleNGe to assist in personal finance instruction.

Physical Fitness

Cadets are required to participate in physical fitness training at least three days per week and at least one hour per session. The physical fitness training is administered and led by Workforce Specialist Staff. Job ChalleNGe cadets are not required to participate in a physical fitness test.

Academic Excellence

The primary focus of the Academic Excellence component in Job ChalleNGe is successful completion of a vocational program through one of our program partners. Job ChalleNGe staff conducts check-ins with vocational training providers to review cadet progress and address any needs for academic assistance or tutoring. Job ChalleNGe cadets will also be provided opportunities to complete their GED if they were not able to finish while in Youth ChalleNGe.

Cadet Life

Cadet schedules may vary based on the individual’s vocational program choice. Some components of Job ChalleNGe are mandatory and some components are optional. The following are the components that will make up the cadet’s schedule during the Job ChalleNGe program.

  • Vocational/Academic Training Program: Required
  • Eight Core Component Classes and Tasks: Required
  • Physical Fitness Training: Required
  • Community Service: Required
  • Additional Certification Classes: Two Required but More Encouraged
  • GED Study and Testing: Optional but Encouraged
  • ASVAB Study and Testing: Optional but Encouraged
  • WIN Testing: Optional but Encouraged

Due to some components being optional, cadets at Job ChalleNGe may have more free time than they were used to in SCYCA. Job ChalleNGe cadets will take personal responsibility for how they use their free time. They may choose to participate in the additional components available and are encouraged to do so.

During cadet free time, certain extracurricular activities and recreational supplies may be available. These may include scheduled activities and programs or items for use such as games, books, music, video games, etc.

Field trips will be scheduled approximately once per month during the residential period. Cadets must meet academic and behavioral standards to attend field trips.

Job ChalleNGe cadets may also have opportunities to participate in off campus events and festivals as well as opportunities to make store runs and go out to eat.

All extracurricular activities and supplies, field trips, and off campus opportunities are privileges and may be provided or revoked at any time based on behavior or necessary scheduling and structure adjustments.

Quasi-Military

Job ChalleNGe follows some of the quasi-military structure of SCYCA. Cadets will continue to adhere to the following military expectations and tasks:

  • Military courtesies
  • Marching
  • Personal Area Inspections
  • Formations

Certain components of the military structure may be relaxed throughout the residential period based on behavior, maturity, and comradery of the Job ChalleNGe cadets as a whole.