Rare Bipartisan Push to Save Federal Program
Nevada’s entire congressional delegation and Governor Joe Lombardo are making a rare bipartisan push to save a federal job training program. They sent a letter to the Department of Labor asking President Trump to reverse his decision to shut down Job Corps.
The unusual alliance includes Republican Governor Lombardo and Republican Rep. Mark Amodei joining with Democratic Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen. Democratic Reps. Steven Horsford, Dina Titus, and Susie Lee also signed the letter.
The Trump administration announced plans to end Job Corps nationwide due to cost concerns and poor performance. The program has been training low-income young people for jobs since the 1960s. It now faces a $213 million deficit this year.
Nevada’s Sierra Nevada Job Corps Center in Reno would close under the plan. The facility serves about 300 students and employs 170 staff members. It provides job training in hospitality, construction, healthcare, and manufacturing.
The Numbers Behind the Debate
The Department of Labor says Job Corps costs about $80,000 per student annually. Only 40% of students graduate from the program. Graduates earn an average of $16,700 per year, while the program costs about $160,000 per student who completes it.
Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer called Job Corps a “failed experiment.”
She said it:
“is no longer achieving the intended outcomes that students deserve.”
The Trump budget proposal labeled the program as failing America’s youth.
Nevada officials dispute these characterizations. They point to better results at their state’s center. According to the letter, 82% of Nevada Job Corps graduates found full-time jobs in 2024. These jobs paid starting wages of at least $17.97 per hour, nearly $6 above Nevada’s minimum wage.
The Sierra Nevada center has served about 25,000 Nevadans since opening. It graduates more than 500 students per year. About 75% of participants earn at least one employer-required certification.
Housing Concerns for Students
Beyond job training, the center provides room and board for low-income students. Many come from families that cannot afford housing during career training. Nevada officials worry about what happens to these students if the program ends.
“The closure will also compel the Center to evict all of its students, leaving the vast majority at serious risk of homelessness,” the letter states.
Youth homelessness is already a problem in Nevada. Federal data shows the number of young people experiencing homelessness increased 14% from 2022 to 2023. Unaccompanied youth homelessness surged 27% from 2023 to 2024.
The program serves young adults ages 16 to 24 from low-income families. Many have not finished high school when they enter. Job Corps provides both education and vocational training in a residential setting.
Economic Impact Arguments
Nevada leaders argue the program provides economic benefits beyond individual students. They say local employers depend on Job Corps graduates to fill critical roles. Industries like construction, healthcare, and information technology regularly hire program graduates.
The Sierra Nevada center has been “a vital economic engine for Northern Nevada,” according to the letter. Officials say closing it would hurt the broader regional economy.
The facility trains students for jobs that often require skills beyond a high school diploma. Georgetown University research shows three-fourths of jobs now require training beyond high school. Job Corps aims to fill this gap for low-income students.
Supporters say the program helps students who might not otherwise have access to career training. Private trade schools and community colleges cost money that low-income families often cannot afford.
Conservative Concerns About the Program
Critics argue Job Corps represents wasteful government spending. They say the high cost per student shows the program is inefficient compared to private alternatives.
The 40% graduation rate troubles fiscal conservatives. They question why taxpayers should fund a program where most students don’t complete training. Private trade schools typically have higher completion rates.
Some conservatives believe job training should be left to private companies and local institutions. They argue the free market provides better training at lower cost. Employers can train workers for jobs they actually need to fill.
The housing component also draws criticism. Some argue the federal government should not provide free room and board to able-bodied young adults. They say this creates dependency rather than self-reliance.
What Supporters and Critics Say
Nevada’s delegation emphasized the program’s benefits in their letter.
They wrote:
“Job Corps has aided millions of low-income individuals gain the skills they need to succeed in the workplace,”
Governor Lombardo and the congressional members said they understand the department’s efforts “to increase accountability and bring workforce programs into alignment with the Administration’s priorities.” However, they disagreed that cutting the entire program is the right solution.
Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer defended the elimination. She cited data showing graduates earn relatively low wages despite high training costs. The department said ending the program :
“reflects the administration’s commitment to ensure federal workforce investments deliver meaningful results for both students and taxpayers.”
The administration wants to cut millions in spending on programs it considers ineffective.
What Happens Next
The Department of Labor has suspended the program nationwide. All 99 Job Corps centers face closure, affecting about 25,000 students across the country.
Nevada officials say they stand ready to work with the department on reforms. They want to find ways to improve performance metrics while keeping the program running. The letter suggests making Job Corps “as successful nationally as it has been in Nevada.”
Congress could try to restore funding through legislation. Some Republicans might join Democrats to save popular programs in their states. However, Trump’s budget priorities suggest the administration is serious about cuts.
Private organizations might step in to provide some services. Community colleges and trade schools could expand programs for low-income students. However, these alternatives might not include the housing component that many Job Corps students need.
For now, Nevada’s 300 Job Corps students face an uncertain future. The program that has trained thousands of Nevadans over decades could soon become history.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
