After 60 Years Job Corps Shuts Down Most Centers Citing Budget Deficits and Safety Concerns

For over 60 years, Job Corps has served as a lifeline for young Americans seeking a way out of poverty through education and career training. Launched in 1964 under President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty, the federally funded program has helped more than two million students earn diplomas, gain trade skills, and step into the workforce—with no out-of-pocket cost. But this summer, that legacy begins to unravel.

The U.S. Department of Labor has confirmed that it will pause operations at 99 Job Corps centers across the country by June 30, 2025. These are the contractor-run locations, which make up the vast majority of centers. Only 24 USDA-operated sites will continue running, leaving thousands of students, teachers, and staff in a state of uncertainty.

The reason, according to the Department, is a combination of ballooning deficits, low graduation rates, and a rising number of safety incidents. In 2024, the program operated with a $140 million shortfall, and forecasts show that could climb to $213 million next year. Graduation rates are underwhelming, with less than 40 percent of students finishing their programs. And in 2023 alone, over 14,000 serious safety incidents—including fights, drug use, and assaults—were reported across centers.

But those on the ground say the problem is deeper. Many trace the decline back to previous administrations, especially the Trump era. In 2017 and 2018, the Trump administration repeatedly tried to eliminate Job Corps funding entirely. Though those efforts were blocked by Congress, the damage was already done. Staff positions were frozen, new investments stalled, and some centers began losing key support systems long before this most recent pause.

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Educators and students now face a devastating fallout. Teachers and center staff—many of whom have dedicated their careers to working with underserved youth—will be laid off unless absorbed into other education systems. Students, some of whom were just months away from completing certifications in fields like nursing, culinary arts, and construction, are being told they’ll need to find alternate paths.

For many of these young people, Job Corps wasn’t just a school—it was their only shot. It provided housing, meals, healthcare, structure, and mentorship. Without it, thousands of low-income students will have to navigate the job market without credentials, connections, or a safety net.

While the Department of Labor has stated that this is a “pause” and not a permanent shutdown, the scale of the closures and the lack of a clear roadmap have left many skeptical. The agency promises to reassess and potentially restructure the program to be more cost-effective and modern. But with centers shuttering and no new model presented, it’s unclear how or when that return might happen.

For the students currently enrolled, the window is closing fast. And for the thousands of educators and support staff, the question remains: what happens to a system built for second chances when it no longer exists?

As Job Corps prepares to wind down its core operations after six decades, what’s being lost isn’t just a government program—it’s a generational promise.