The U.S. Department of Labor announced a sweeping decision to pause operations at all contractor-operated Job Corps centers by June 30, 2025, including the facility in Guthrie.
The announcement has sparked concern and confusion among students, staff, and families as the federal program that has long provided education and job training to underserved youth begins a nationwide phase-out.
The Guthrie Job Corps Center, which has helped students earn high school credits, driver’s licenses, and trade certifications, is one of 99 centers impacted by the change.
The Department of Labor cited ongoing financial challenges and underperformance as key reasons for the move. According to federal officials, the program is projected to operate at a $213 million deficit in Program Year 2025.
The department’s decision aligns with President Donald Trump’s 2026 budget proposal and reflects the Administration’s commitment to ensure federal workforce investments deliver meaningful results for both students and taxpayers.
“Job Corps was created to help young adults build a pathway to a better life through education, training, and community,” said Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “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.”
In announcing the closure, the Department of Labor cited ongoing financial instability, program inefficiencies, and concerns over student outcomes. According to a newly released Job Corps Transparency Report, the average graduation rate was 38.6%, the average cost per graduate exceeded $155,000, and serious incident reports totaled over 14,000 in Program Year 2023.
But the National Job Corps Association strongly disputes the claims. The organization claims that the government’s report presents a misleading picture and overlooks the program’s historical success and its actual impact on underserved youth.
“Many of these statistics are taken out of context or based on COVID-era data,” the association said in a public statement. “Historically, graduation rates have exceeded 60%. The cost per enrollee is under $50,000. And the incident reports include minor infractions like weather events and sports injuries.”
Despite the federal deadline of June 30, some students were reportedly told to leave campus within days of the announcement. Others are left without a place to go, many of them coming from foster care or unstable housing situations.
Nonprofits and community organizations that have come to rely on Job Corps students are also feeling the impact. Lisa New, who runs Helping Community Paws and Claws in Logan County, said, “We’re going to lose a lot of support from Job Corps students. And what are they going to do?”
While the Department of Labor has pledged to help current students transition into other workforce programs, it remains unclear what local alternatives exist for students in Oklahoma. Families and advocates are now calling on state and federal lawmakers to intervene and reconsider the closure.
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