WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) announced today that she sent a letter to the Chairman and the Ranking Member of the House Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee strongly urging it to fully fund the Job Corps Program.  The bi-partisan letter, sent on April 22, 2013, was also signed by 96 other Representatives who stand with the Congresswoman in support of fully funding Job Corps in the FY 2014 budget.  This funding is needed to ensure the nation’s premier dropout recovery and career preparation program for vulnerable undereducated and unemployed youth, ages 16-24, can live up to its mission.  The letter to Chairman Jack Kingston and Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro states that even during high unemployment, the Job Corps can boast of 85% of its graduates finding jobs, enrolling in higher education or enlisting in the military.

“We know Job Corps provides a much needed pathway to success for students who may otherwise have no opportunity to develop the skills that lead to good jobs and build a future as productive citizens. Employers and American taxpayers benefit as well.  By not fully funding Job Corps, we leave thousands of young people without resources that can turn their lives around.  We destabilize an anchor in communities that have employed educators around the nation and weaken our ability to develop the skilled workforce our economy needs,” said Congresswoman Fudge.  

Background:In January, 2013, the U.S. Department of Labor imposed a suspension of new enrollments at Job Corps due to a $61.5 million dollar shortfall in the program’s operational budget.  The Department recently lifted the suspension but reduced the number of students who can participate in the program at its 125 Job Corps centers, including the Cleveland Job Corps Center by approximately 20%.  To date, more than 10,000 students across the country have been denied entrance to the program and hundreds of staff has been laid off, nationwide.

Click here to see the letter.