"Making the Connection"
- Job Corps Small Business Bulletin
April 2002

American Business Corporation
"One of Job Corps Successful Outreach Admissions & Career Transition Contractors"

American Business Corporation (A.B.C.) and its president, Jackie Back, have been involved with youth services, as well as employment and training programs, since the late 1960's. After learning about Job Corps and conducting further research, A.B.C. was incorporated with the intent of convincing Job Corps that a small business could deliver high-quality career services as effectively as the "big guys" that have participated in the program for more than 30 years. Job Corps was selected because the program closely resembled A.B.C.'s mission, which is to work closely with young people to make a difference in their lives. It took more than a year of submitting proposals before the Atlanta Regional Office finally accepted one, in January 1996.

A.B.C. currently conducts outreach, admissions, and placement services for Job Corps in the states of Georgia and North Carolina. Broadening its mission, A.B.C. also provides employment preparation and job placement services for disabled veterans through contracts with the U.S. Veterans Administration.

A.B.C.'s philosophy is to hire the very best employees, provide excellent services and never lose focus of its mission and goals. The company has created a working atmosphere that allows all staffers the freedom to perform their jobs with some decision-making authority. Management's open-door policy stimulates maximum communication. A.B.C. believes that outstanding employees will deliver outstanding results. One of its long-term goals is to expand, while striving to remain the best of the best.

ABC's recommendations to those interested in doing business with Job Corps are:

Research the program, because the application process can be long and expensive.
Attend the U.S. Small Business (SBA) and Job Corps proposal writing workshops. They are a must!
If you are not truly dedicated to Job Corps' vision/mission, then don't do it.
Don't be afraid of failure. You'll experience that a lot before your first success.