U.S. Senator Susan Collins, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, has voiced her opposition to the Department of Labor’s decision to temporarily pause operations at Job Corps centers across the United States. In a statement, Senator Collins expressed concern over the impact on nearly 500 students in Maine, particularly those at the Loring and Penobscot Job Corps Centers. “I strongly oppose the Department of Labor’s directive to pause operations at Job Corps centers in Maine and across the country,” she stated.
Senator Collins highlighted the importance of these centers as support systems for disadvantaged young adults in Maine. During a recent Appropriations hearing, she urged Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer to resume enrollment at these centers and reconsider plans to eliminate the Job Corps program entirely. “As Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to work to support this valuable program,” she affirmed.
The senator also shared a success story about Adais Viruet-Torres, a graduate of Loring Job Corps Center and Husson University who overcame homelessness and now works as a nurse practitioner.
In April, Senator Collins sent a letter to Secretary Chavez-DeRemer advocating for lifting the enrollment halt at both Maine Job Corps centers. Recently, Senators Collins and Jack Reed sent another letter requesting detailed information from DOL regarding Job Corps contracts, background check processing, and evaluation plans.
