Trump admin pauses operations at Job Corps centers after 'serious incidents,' low graduation rates

The Trump administration will be undertaking a "phased pause" at contractor-operated Job Corps centers across the country, which was recently found to have a low graduation rate and a high number of serious incident reports filed. 

A press release from the Department of Labor stated that the pauses will occur at contractor-operated Job Corps centers by June 30, and will initiate "an orderly transition for students, staff, and local communities."

Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer said in a statement, "Job Corps was created to help young adults build a pathway to a better life through education, training, and community. 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."

Per Fox News, 99 of the 123 Job Corps centers across the United States are run by contractors. The remaining 24 centers run by the US Department of Agriculture will not be affected by the pauses. Officials said that contracts with those administering the 99 centers will be terminated during the pause. 

During the phased suspension, students will be connected to other resources and registered within the American Job Center closest to their home, as well as the Labor Exchange system in their respective home states. 

In the 2025 fiscal year, the Jobs Corps will cost taxpayers $1.7 billion. In program year 2024, the program operated at a $140 million deficit, which is expected to rise to $213 in program year 2025. 

A transparency report released in April found that the average graduation rate for the program in the most recently available year, 2023, was 38.6 percent, with head graduating student costing on average $155,600.74.

Following the program, participants earn on average $16,695 per year.

The transparency report also found that 14,913 serious incident reports had been filed for the 2023 program year, including 372 reports for inappropriate sexual behavior and sexual assault, 1,764 reports for acts of violence, 1,167 reports for breaches of safety or security, and 2,702 reports for drug use.