SEDRO-WOOLLEY, Wash. — Dozens of Job Corps students in Washington face an uncertain future after the Trump administration announced pausing the federally funded program nationwide last week.
The announcement left students scrambling for housing and education options.
Luna Grey, 21, grew up in Spokane and has faced homelessness while struggling to find education opportunities.
On Thursday, she’s moving out of her dorm at Cascades Job Corps in Sedro-Woolley less than a year after getting into the program.
“I don’t think that any issues that were happening in the Job Corps program warrants closing the program with one week’s notice, giving everybody basically no time to plan,” Grey said. “Job Corps was kind of my last lifeline to get an education.”
Job Corps provides education and job training to struggling young people ages 16 to 24. Often those who are underserved and face housing insecurity. The pause follows an internal review amid financial and operational challenges.
The U.S. Department of Labor says the program operates with a $140 million deficit that will likely increase next year. Each student costs about $80,000 annually.
A 2023 review found a 38% graduation rate and documented serious incidents including sexual misconduct, violence, and drug use.
Students were told last week to leave by June 30. Grey claims the deadline moved to this Friday. A federal judge issued a restraining order on Wednesday to pause the closures.
Despite the legal order, many students like Grey continue packing, uncertain about their future. Some were close to graduating and now have nowhere to go.
Senator Maria Cantwell responded to the Job Corps closures in a statement that reads:
“For 60 years, Cascades Job Corps has played an essential role in the workforce of Skagit Valley. Canceling funding for the career and technical skills they provide to their students — some of whom are weeks away from graduation — will hurt the small and medium-sized businesses in Northwest Washington that utilize their workforce pipeline.”
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