Governor Healey Calls on Trump Administration to Restore Youth Jobs Training Program

Governor Healey Calls on Trump Administration to Restore Youth Jobs Training Program  
Trump Administration recently halted operations at Job Corps Centers in Westover, Chicopee, Grafton and Devens, impacting 900 young people 

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey is calling on the Trump Administration to resume operations at Job Corps, after the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) abruptly halted this program that provides job training and housing to 900 young people in Massachusetts and employs hundreds of people. On Thursday, May 29, 2025, USDOL announced a “phased pause in operations” at Job Corps centers nationwide, effective June 30.  

“The Trump Administration has just pulled the rug out from under nearly 1,000 young people in Massachusetts who were doing the work to get the training and skills necessary to succeed in today’s economy,” said Governor Healey. “Job Corps trains the next generation of workers to fill in-demand roles in industries like carpentry, plumbing, electrical and pharmacy tech. But now, hundreds of young people are without the training and housing they were relying on, hundreds of employees are facing lay offs, and Massachusetts employers are being left without the talent they need. The Trump Administration must resume operations at Job Corps immediately.” 

“For decades, Job Corps centers have been a critical resource for young adults and at-risk youth in Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We are currently assessing the full impact in Massachusetts resulting from this decision and will continue to engage with our partners in the Legislature, the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation, and our workforce partners to best support workers and employers in our state.”  

“The halt of Job Corps centers nationwide directly impacts Massachusetts with hundreds of vocational training and housing stability suspended for young people in addition job insecurity for those employed at each center,” said Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones. “The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development is connecting with each of the centers to understand the unique experience and needs of currently enrolled participants as well as the impact on Job Corps employees.”   

Since the 1980s, Job Corps has provided young people aged 16 to 24 years old with additional education, hands-on training, career readiness opportunities and workforce skills, in addition to housing. In Massachusetts, Job Corps typically serves approximately 900 students in a program year.  

The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development is working to gather more details and assess the impact for students in Massachusetts, including for students currently enrolled in programming operated by the Westover Job Corps Center in Chicopee, Grafton Job Corps Center in North Grafton, and Shriver Job Corp Center in Devens. The MassHire Rapid response team is also working to support impacted employees.