Brown Blasts Trump Decision to Halt Job Corps Center Operations in Cleveland and Across America

Cleveland, OH- Today, the Trump Administration announced that contractor operator Job Corp centers will begin a “phased pause in operations” including the Job Corps center in Cleveland. Congresswoman Brown (OH-11), a member of the Congressional Labor Caucus, strongly criticizes this move. 

The Department of Labor stated that their decision “aligns with the President’s FY 2026 budget proposal,” which calls for eliminating Job Corps. (page 28)

“This decision is a betrayal of young people in Cleveland who rely on Job Corps to take control of their own future,” said Congresswoman Shontel Brown. “For 60 years, Job Corps has provided low-income youth with the skills, training, and support they need to stand on their own two feet. In Cleveland, that legacy runs deep through our trades, our hospitals, and our regional workforce. Instead of abruptly closing this center and others across the country, the Trump Administration should work to improve the program so that we continue to invest in workforce development.”

The Job Corps is a federal job training and education program designed to serve low-income youth between the ages of 16 and 24 who face barriers to education and employment, founded by the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. To be eligible for Job Corps, applicants must be U.S. citizens or legally authorized to work in the United States, meet low-income criteria, and present at least one barrier to employment.

The Cleveland Job Corps Center has played a pivotal role in the Northeast Ohio since its inception in 1965. Today, the Center serves nearly 400 students each year, providing opportunities to complete high school coursework, receive technical training, and prepare for careers in industries that support our regional economy. For more on the Cleveland Job Corps long history in Northeast Ohio click here. 

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