Representative Crist Visits Pinellas County Job Corps Center Discusses Importance of Civic Engagement with Pinellas County Youth

St. Petersburg, Fla., – January 22, 2020: Rep. Charlie Crist (FL-13) visited the Pinellas County Job Corps Center to tour the campus and take questions from students. Specifically, Rep. Crist held a town hall meeting with approximately 50 Pinellas County Job Corps youth. Rep. Crist discussed the importance of civic engagement and taking advantage of the career and educational opportunities Job Corps provides to Florida youth. Crist was joined by ODLE Management Group, LLC, the operator of the Pinellas County Job Corps Center, and key members of the campus’ leadership team and student government leaders.

Every year, the Pinellas County Job Corps campus serves over 600 undereducated, underserved young people from Pinellas County and Florida. The Pinellas County Job Corps Center is ranked in the top 10 out of 124 campuses across the country in students earning industry-recognized credentials. Further, Pinellas County touts that nine out of 10 graduates secure jobs, enroll in higher education or enlist in the military upon graduation from Job Corps. In fact, some of the county’s top employers hire Job Corps graduates, including Duke Energy, Walgreens Pharmacy, Home Depot, City of St. Petersburg and Orthopedic Injury Management.

“Students need access to affordable workforce development training that prepares them for the jobs of the future, “said Crist. “Job Corps provides an opportunity virtually unmatched throughout the country – quality education and vocational training that’s free for students. I’m thankful for Job Corps and all they do to help young professionals embark on their career – without the crushing weight of student debt.”

“We were honored that Congressman Crist visited us at the Pinellas County Job Corps Center,” Samuel Kolapo, Pinellas County Job Corps Center Director said. “More importantly, we are incredibly excited to work closely with Congressman Crist and his exceptional team to enhance education and career opportunities for Pinellas County youth, including identifying new potential partnerships. We are also delighted that the Congressman has agreed to join the Friends of Job Corps Congressional Caucus.”

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About ODLE Management
ODLE Management, LLC is a woman- and minority-owned business, and an experienced workforce development provider. ODLE manages the day-to-day operations of the Pinellas County Job Corps Center, in St. Petersburg, Florida; and operates campuses and outreach, admissions and placement services in California, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Texas, Arizona, Virginia, and Oklahoma. Job Corps center operations and support contracts are administered by the U.S. Department of Labor through a competitive bidding process.

About Job Corps
Administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, Job Corps is the nation’s largest and most successful career technical training and education program for low-income young people ages 16 through 24. Job Corps provides services to more than 60,000 young people each year at 125 centers in 48 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. To learn more about Job Corps, call (800) 733-JOBS or visit Job Corps online at www.jobcorps.gov.