The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is closing Jobs Corps centers nationwide, including a location in St. Petersburg.
The Pinellas County Job Corps in St. Petersburg will close on June 30, resulting in 119 layoffs. This program provides job training, housing, and education for at-risk youth. Low-income students aged 16 to 24 can live on campus during their enrollment.
According to Tampa Bay Business Journal, on May 29, the U.S. Department of Labor notified Exceed LLC that the contract for the Job Corps Center, which is operated by Exceed LLC in partnership with Eckerd Connects, has been terminated.
In an official statement, DOL Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer explained the reasoning behind the closures.
“Job Corps was created to help young adults build a pathway to a better life through education, training, and community,” said 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.”
The Job Corps program has faced significant financial challenges under its current operating structure. In PY 2024, the program operated at a $140 million deficit, requiring the Biden administration to implement a pause in center operations to complete the program year. The deficit is projected to reach $213 million in PY 2025.
Author
