Maria Young Published

Job Corps Center Remains Open Despite Federal Pause

A young woman in a yellow hard hat and safety vest stands in front of industrial workers.
Job Corps participants are trained for a variety of possible job placements.
Yingyaipumi/Adobe Stock
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The Charleston Job Corps Center, along with dozens of centers nationwide, was scheduled to close earlier this week. But that hasn’t  happened – yet. 

At the end of May the U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) announced a pause in operations at contractor-operated Job Corps centers, citing high costs and low graduation rates. Operations were to cease by June 30. 

Job Corps officials, who dispute those figures, say the centers provide housing, support and meals while disadvantaged young people 16 to 24 years old earn their high school diplomas, train for careers and find jobs. 

A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order directing the DOL to halt suspension efforts without congressional approval. Last week a different federal judge granted a preliminary injunction to stop the shutdown until a lawsuit is resolved.

A labor department  spokesperson told West Virginia Public Broadcasting by email, “The Department of Labor is working closely with the Department of Justice to evaluate the injunction. We remain confident that our actions are consistent with the law.” 

A spokesman for Management & Training Corporation, which operates the Job Corps centers nationwide, said due to the current legal proceedings, staff and students can no longer provide comment to the media. 

But she added, “The Charleston Job Corps Center remains open and operational and MTC intends to continue operating the center in accordance with its ongoing contract with the Department of Labor.”

Rather than scrambling to help participants find new housing, training and jobs to break the cycle of generational poverty, the Charleston Job Corps Center remains open – for now.