Latest news with #EconomicOpportunityActof
The Hill
06-06-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Trump administration faces growing bipartisan pressure over Job Corps
Nearly 200 House members signed onto a bipartisan letter this week to express support for Job Corps after the Labor Department (DOL) recently announced it would soon be pausing operations at centers nationwide. In the letter to Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, the lawmakers express support 'for the continuation of the Job Corps program,' while noting it remains funded through government funding legislation that passed earlier this year. 'Nearly 20,000 young people utilize Job Corps to learn skills for in-demand vocational and technical job training,' the letter said. 'Job Corps is one of the few national programs that specifically targets the 16-24-year-old population that is neither working, nor in school, and provides them with a direct pathway into employment openings in industries such as manufacturing and shipbuilding.' Job Corps, established as part of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, is a free residential education and job training program for low-income people between 16 and 24 years of age. In an announcement explaining the DOL's decision to suspend operations at Job Corps centers, Chavez-DeRemer said the program was found to no longer achieve 'the intended outcomes that students deserve,' citing what she described as 'a startling number of serious incident reports and our in-depth fiscal analysis.' '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.' The department said it will begin a 'phased pause' initiating 'an orderly transition for students, staff, and local communities.' The pause will occur by June 30, the office said. The move was met with swift backlash from lawmakers, including Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine), who defended the program in a statement expressing strong opposition to the DOL's move to pause operations. 'Serving nearly 500 students in Maine, the Loring Job Corps Center and the Penobscot Job Corps Center have become important pillars of support for some of our most disadvantaged young adults,' Collins said at the time. In the new letter sent to the secretary Thursday, the group of lawmakers said that, by 'filling job openings, Job Corps ensures that young people become productive members of the American workforce.' 'No other program takes homeless youth and turns them into the welders, electricians, shipbuilders, carpenters, nurses, mechanics, and vocational workers of the future.' The Hill has reached out to DOL for comment. The letter came a day after a federal judge temporarily blocked the administration from suspending operations at Job Corps centers as critics argue the move is illegal.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Shorter College helps displaced Job Corps students
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -Across the country, Job Corps Centers have begun stopping operations that offer education and job training. Multiple students in North Little Rock say they have renewed hope thanks to a college opening its doors. The U.S. Department of Labor announced its plans to pause Job Corps Center operations nationwide by June 30. So far, the Little Rock Job Corps Center has already closed. Job Corps closing hits home with Little Rock families Nationally, the program became part of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. It offers free residential education and job training for people with low incomes between ages of 16 and 24. Officials say the number of serious incident reports and financial challenges are reasons for the pause. Samantha Reyes was a part of the Job Corps program and said she was hurt when she found out it would be closing. 'It was like the rug was just pulled from under me,' Reyes said. 'Coming into Job Corps, it was like this is a place that I got to get out of my comfort zone and do something with my life.' Tyand Freeman said the announcement left him afraid for the future. 'It really hurt me because I'm from Alabama, I'm not from Arkansas, so it's like I didn't have nowhere to go,' Freeman said. But not all hope was lost, as they had the opportunity to become students at Shorter College in North Little Rock after it opened its doors to those students displaced. 'It started with a small group of 5. Now we're up to about 18 to 20 students,' Shorter College president Jeffery Norfleet said. He says it was important that they were able to allow them to enroll so they could continue their academic life. 'We are able to have financial aid and we want to see them to the finish line with a degree,' Norfleet said. Career counselor at Little Rock Job Corps says federal pause on operations nationwide leaves students with nowhere to go Norfleet said the enrollment offers them a dorm room they can sleep in, food assistance and a list of other resources. 'I am beyond grateful. I don't know what could have happened if I didn't have this,' Reyes said. Norfleet said he is grateful for the community support, as many people have been dropping off donations. The opportunity means the world to Freeman, who is looking to be a certified nursing assistant. Giving many hope that their future dreams can come true, like Brieze Bunk, who was also impacted. 'One of my career goals is to own a bakery,' Bunk said. Reyes is aiming for a degree in education, but is grateful to have what's essential. 'Coming here and knowing we had something to eat, a place to sleep, it's been beyond words,' she said. Labor Department suspends Job Corps centers operations, drawing bipartisan pushback Norfleet said if anyone would like to donate, they can drop off food, bedding or anything that can help the students with their academics. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
