By Rachael Lee, Alliance Intern from UTexas – Austin ‘ 25
The Trump Administration’s Department of Labor (DOL) has authorized the closure of Job Corps, the nation’s largest free residential career training and education program for low-income adults aged 16-24. This closure cuts off essential housing and decent-paying job opportunities for the 25,000 American young people in Job Corps.
Sadly, this is just one of the many assaults on sister programs like AmeriCorps and Teach for America that help assure a positive future for the next generation.
The Job Corps students were only given a one month warning by the DOL to process the devastating news of the program closure. Their step-up in the world was abruptly taken away and they had to find new places to live.
Over the 60 years that it has been functioning, Job Corps has given 3 million individuals the necessary skills and education required to improve their quality of life and gain a professional career.
In addition to providing the necessary educational and professional background that allows students to gain control of their professional careers, most Job Corps sites provide residential services such as healthcare, counseling and food.
The end of the program will also jeopardize the futures of an additional 14,000 applicants, according to Job Corps. Many of them are homeless or in vulnerable living situations. They rely on an acceptance into Job Corps as one of their last opportunities to escape the cycle of poverty.
Furthermore, shutting down Job Corps will undermine local businesses and communities who rely on trained workers who graduate from the program, directly hurting America’s economy.
A recent holding has been filed by a US Judge to pause the nationwide closure of Job Corps. However, its future is still uncertain, left in the hands of the Trump administration that has already shut down many government-assisted programs. It is our responsibility as citizens to demand and ensure that Job Corps is not next.
Save Job Corps! Join the Alliance in signing this petition to President Trump, the DOL and your elected officials through savejobcorps.com. Send a clear message that we care about our youth and American business.