U.S. Senator Susan Collins, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, has expressed her opposition to the Department of Labor’s decision to temporarily pause operations at Job Corps centers nationwide. The directive affects centers in Maine, including the Loring Job Corps Center and the Penobscot Job Corps Center, which serve nearly 500 students.
Senator Collins stated, “I strongly oppose the Department of Labor’s directive to pause operations at Job Corps centers in Maine and across the country.” She emphasized the significance of these centers as “important pillars of support for some of our most disadvantaged young adults.”
During a recent Appropriations hearing, Collins urged Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer to resume enrollment at Maine’s two Job Corps centers and reconsider plans to eliminate the program. “As Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to work to support this valuable program,” she affirmed.
The senator highlighted a success story from the Loring Job Corps Center involving Adais Viruet-Torres, who overcame homelessness and now works as a nurse practitioner after graduating from both Loring and Husson University.
In April, Collins sent a letter to Secretary Chavez-DeRemer urging an end to the enrollment halt at both Maine centers. More recently, she joined Senator Jack Reed in requesting information on various aspects related to Job Corps contracts and evaluations from Secretary Chavez-DeRemer.
