The Corps Network thanks members of Congress who championed this outcome; offers to support improving the Job Corps CCC program
WASHINGTON, DC – The Corps Network, the National Association of Service and Conservation Corps, applauds the decision by the Departments of Agriculture and Labor to reverse plans to close or transfer management of the 25 Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers across the country. News of this decision was reported by Politico and announced by Sen. Jeff Merkley on Wednesday, June 19, 2019.
“The Departments of Labor and Agriculture made the right decision in choosing not to close or transfer management of the Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers,” said Mary Ellen Sprenkel, President and CEO of The Corps Network. “We appreciate the bipartisan effort in Congress to champion this outcome and extend our thanks to all the members of Congress who recognize the importance of the Job Corps CCC program to rural communities and low-income families. We offer our support to help improve the program and make it even more impactful; a stronger Job Corps CCC program translates into strong local economies and bright futures for our rural youth.”
Job Corps is a residential, federally-funded education and vocational training program for low-income youth and young adults. The 25 Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers – or Job Corps CCCs – are overseen by the Department of Agriculture and managed by the U.S. Forest Service. Located in rural communities, these centers provide students the opportunity to develop skills and earn certifications for careers in forestry, wildland firefighting, and other resource management-related fields. Job Corps CCC students gain experience through completing maintenance projects on U.S. Forest Service properties, assisting in disaster relief efforts, and fighting wildland fires.
In May, the Departments of Labor and Agriculture announced a plan to close nine of the Job Corps CCCs and transfer management of the remaining 16 centers to states or private contractors. Among other consequences, this would have resulted in more than 1,000 federal employees losing their jobs.
The Job Corps CCCs are member organizations of The Corps Network. Two Job Corps students, Abdusalam Ibrahim and Levi White, won The Corps Network’s 2019 Corpsmember of the Year Award. The Job Corps CCC program also won a 2017 Project of the Year Award for expanding their wildland firefighting program.
About The Corps Network
The Corps Network, the national association of Service and Conservation Corps, provides leadership and support to over 130 Corps across the United States. Through advocacy, and providing Corps access to funding opportunities and expert guidance, The Corps Network annually enables more than 25,000 Corpsmembers to strengthen communities, improve the environment and transform their lives through service. To learn more about The Corps Network, please visit www.corpsnetwork.org.
Media Contact:
Hannah Traverse
The Corps Network
1275 K Street, NW – Suite 1050
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202.737.6272
Email: [email protected]