Maine Delegation applauds decision to restore Job Corps

  WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Maine Congressional Delegation Monday applauded an announcement by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) that it intends to immediately resume student enrollment at Job Corps centers across the country, including Penobscot Job Corps in Bangor and Loring Job Corps in Limestone.    The decision suspends a Jan. 28th directive by federal officials to freeze enrollment at 125 Job Corps centers throughout the country in order to reduce costs and save money. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King and Rep. Mike Michaud and Chellie Pingree questioned the DOL’s initial decision to suspend enrollments, and in a Jan. 31 letter, called for further explanation into the Department’s efforts to manage its finances with respect to the Job Corps program.
The DOL was able to lift the suspension in part because Congress recently provided the authority to transfer additional funding to the Job Corps program. As a result, Penobscot Job Corps in Bangor and Loring Job Corps in Limestone are expected to immediately begin outreach and admission activities and could be reenrolling students within in the coming weeks.
“The Department of Labor’s announcement to resume enrollment is fantastic news for Maine’s Job Corps centers and the many students they serve,” the delegation said. “These centers are a vital facet of our workforce development system and have a proven record of success in preparing disadvantaged students to obtain and hold a job or pursue opportunities in higher education. Their contributions to Maine simply cannot be overstated and we are pleased to know that they will soon be reenrolling students.”