US Job Corps Program Runs Short on Funds

Native News Network Staff in Native Briefs. Discussion »

WASHINGTON – The US Department of Labor Job Corps program has run short in its operational funds for the current fiscal year by an amount in excess of $46 million dollars. Officials at the National Office of the Job Corps have placed a freeze on spending for the remainder of the fiscal year.

Edna Primrose, Job Corps National Director

The program budgetary problems will potentially impact approximately 4,000 American Indian youth who depend on Job Corps for vocational training.

The Job Corps National Director, Edna Primrose, issued a directive on June 1, detailing programs austerity measures including the halt of all new student admissions from June 1 to July 23. Director Primrose noted that "Job Corps received authority from the Congress and the Administration to transfer facility construction and maintenance funds to support operating expenses of the agency," but the available funding is not sufficient for program operations.

Director Primrose mandated a hiring freeze on staff vacancies at the 120 plus Job Corps Center nationwide, eliminated all travel at center unless of an emergency nature and ordered cuts averaging 12 percent in operational expenses for the centers.

posted June 20, 2012 6:20 am edt