EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The U.S. Department of Labor announced on Thursday afternoon, May 29, that it will begin a phased pause of Job Corps centers nationwide.
According to the news release by the Department of Labor, the pause of all operations at all contractor-operated Job Corps centers will happen on Monday, June 30.
As the transition begins, the department will be collaborating with state and local workforce partners to help current students advance their training and connect them with education and employment opportunities, the department said.
The decision to pause operations comes after an internal review of the program’s outcome and structure. The decision will be carried out with the available funding, the framework established under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, and congressional notification requirements, the news release read.
In addition, the department said the decision also aligns with the Trump administration’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal and “reflects the Administration’s commitment to ensure federal workforce investments deliver meaningful results for both students and taxpayers.”
On April 25, the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration released the first-ever Job Corps Transparency Report that analyzed financial performance and operational costs of the 2023 program year.
The summary of the findings revealed the following:
- Average graduation rate (WIOA Definition): 38.6%
- Average cost per student per year: $80,284.65
- Average total cost per graduate (WIOA Definition): $155,600.74
- Post separation, participants earn $16,695 annually on average.
- The total number of serious incident reports for program year 2023: 14,913 infractions.
- Inappropriate sexual behavior and sexual assaults reported: 372
- Acts of violence reported: 1,764
- Breaches of safety or security: 1,167
- Reported drug use: 2,702
- Total hospital visits: 1,808
“Job Corps was created to help young adults build a pathway to a better life through education, training, and community,” Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer said. “However, a startling number of serious incident reports and our in-depth fiscal analysis reveal the program is no longer achieving the intended outcomes that students deserve. We remain committed to ensuring all participants are supported through this transition and connected with the resources they need to succeed as we evaluate the program’s possibilities.”
According to the department, for the program year 2024, Job Corps operated at a $140 million deficit, requiring the Biden administration to implement a pause in center operations to complete the year. The deficit is projected to reach $213 million in the program year 2025.
Read: Read More