Representative Kathy Castor (D-FL) recently wrote to the Department of Labor demanding that they keep the Pinellas County Job Corps Center open after the Department announced their plans to close it, saying, "This harsh and arbitrary decision casts students into an uncertain future, disrupts job training, and creates housing insecurity for hundreds of young people across Florida."
As the St. Pete Catalyst described, the Pinellas County Job Corps Center is similar to a college or university for low-income young people between 16 and 24 years old, offering on-site housing and high school education in preparation for vocational jobs.
Approximately 300 students are currently enrolled, and 16-20% are suggested to be homeless.
The Department of Labor recently announced that it would close all contract-based Job Corps centers by June 30th due to low graduation rates of just 32% nationwide.
Nevertheless, Rep. Castor said, "For decades, Job Corps has provided a vital pathway to education, job training, and self-sufficiency for young people who deserve a second chance."
"I am concerned, however, that DOL has proposed dismantling Job Corps, contrary to the direction of Congress," Rep. Castor continued, adding, "I have heard from local teachers and students how the sudden and arbitrary closure will undercut the mission and leave students in the lurch."
As a result, the Florida Congresswoman posed several questions to be answered by the Department by June 15th, including where it got the numbers concerning graduation, enrollment, and if COVID-19 effects were considered.
"This move will upend more than 60 years of progress, leaving current and future at-risk young people with one less pipeline to personal and professional development," Castor concluded. "Halting Job Corps contracts will deepen inequality and rob young people in need of critical tools to thrive. DOL should be investing in our communities and resources with effective tools like Job Corps to break the cycle of poverty and help young people succeed. I trust that we share the same goal of serving all Americans and bolstering our workforce. I respectfully urge you to delay the pause in operations, review this Transparency Report and include a longer dataset for analysis, and take actions to ensure the success of Job Corps."
