Job Corps center closure decision reversed

Montana’s governor and members of Congress Wednesday praised the Trump Administration reversing its decision to close nine Job Corps training centers, including in Anaconda, and to put operations of 16 others, including at Trapper Creek in Montana, under new contractors.

Gov. Steve Bullock and Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., questioned why the change ever had been proposed.

U.S. Department of Labor announced May 24 it was taking over Job Corps, created in 1964 as a no-cost education and vocational training program, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which had administered the program through the U.S. Forest Service in conjunction with Labor. The proposed change included closing nine service centers and changing the operation of 16 to new contractors.

The Anaconda center employs more than 60 people and trains several hundred a year.

Labor said in a release May 24 that the decision was made to create “an opportunity to serve a greater number of students at higher performing centers at a lower cost to taxpayers by modernizing and reforming part of the Job Corps program.”

Bullock said Wednesday the closure would not have benefited the nation.

“It’s unclear why the unnecessary decision to close Job Corps centers was made in the first place, but I’m glad the administration has come to the realization how much these training centers mean to rural Montana, rural jobs, and the young men and women who have had their lives positively impacted by attending these centers,” he said in a release. “I look forward to seeing the workers and students with the Anaconda and Trapper Creek Job Corps continue to benefit our economy and our state, particularly as we enter wildfire season.”

Tester praised and applauded the announcement from Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue that the administration was reversing its decision, but noted that the reversal came after significant pushback from Congress.

“Suddenly, without any real reason or justification, the President pulled the plug on one of the most successful initiatives in rural America and my office was flooded with stories and objections from Montanans,” he said in a release Wednesday. “That’s why I fought so hard to reverse this decision and today I’m extremely proud to have helped make their voices heard. But too often this Administration acts without regard for the real-world consequences of their decisions — consequences overwhelmingly suffered by folks in rural America. I’ll continue to fight for the hardworking Montanans and businesses that rely on Job Corps centers like Trapper Creek and Anaconda, so we can make sure they’re around for future generations.”

His release said the job training centers operate in 17 national forests and grasslands across 16 states — including Montana — and train over 4,000 young adults a year, many of whom are at-risk youth from low-income, rural communities.

U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Mont., also praised the decision.

“This is a welcomed decision by the administration and good news for Montana,” Gianforte said. “Thousands of young Montanans learn valuable skills through the Civilian Conservation Corps programs at Anaconda and Trapper Creek. Many of those are at-risk youth and the Job Corps program provides them with an opportunity to overcome their challenges and have success in their lives. CCC’s play an important role in rural states like Montana helping the U.S. Forest Service train wildfire and natural disaster first-responders and fulfill its mission. 

“I’m thankful the administration responded to our requests and reversed its decision. It’s the right thing to do,” Gianforte added.

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., also lauded the decision.

“This is a big win for Montana and our country,” Daines said in a release Wednesday. “I’m glad that President Trump, Secretary Perdue, and Secretary Acosta listened, and are keeping these critical centers open and under the Department of Agriculture,” Daines said. “Our job corps centers are critical. They provide hundreds of jobs in Montana, and provide future generations of young Montanans the tools they need to succeed in the work force. I greatly appreciate President Trump working with me to save these Montana jobs.”