Don Young Alaska Job Corps Center continues operations

The Don Young Job Corps Center (DYJCC), located in Palmer, will continue to operate and provide career and technical training to young Alaskans following a vote in the Senate Appropriations Committee to allocate $1.76 billion to the program. This funding ensures the continuation of Job Corps centers across the nation through 2027.

This comes as a district court issued an order that prohibits the U.S. Department of Labor from closing Job Corps centers across the country, allowing the Job Corps program to remain operational and to begin to accept new students.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced May 29 that it would begin a phased ‘pause’ in operations at contractor-operated Job Corps centers nationwide, which was to have taken place by June 30, 2025, stating that the Job Corps program has faced significant financial challenges under its current operating structure.

In 2024, the program operated at a $140 million deficit, requiring the Biden administration to implement a pause in center operations to complete the program year. The deficit is projected to reach $213 million in 2025.

The DYJCC had halted new student enrollment due to a pause in background checks, which is a required safety step. With the resumption of the background checks, the center is accepting new students.

In a press release, DYJCC Director Bobbie Irvin stated, “This is wonderful news. I’m so appreciative of the efforts of Senators Murkowski and Sullivan for helping to cement a path forward for young disadvantaged Alaskans to receive vital vocational skills training in critical trades necessary for the growing workforce we support. We are hoping, with background checks now approved to increase our enrollment to 175 students by the end of the year, and return to the maximum capacity of 226 students in the next 12-months.”

The DYJCC has seen its student population census go from over 200 students in February to 105 students today.

“This is not just the government, not just numbers. This is about the humans who work here, the humans that study and train, and take that back home,” said Director Irvin back in May, who contacted the Alaska Congressional Delegation to try and reverse the decision.

In May, Senator Murkowski acknowledged that some Job Corps centers may be struggling across the country, but the Don Young Alaska Job Corps Center is an exception, standing out as a model of excellence. “It has prepared over 7,000 young Alaskans from across the state to become leaders in their communities by equipping them with highly technical skills that can serve as a foundation for their careers,” she said in a statement, saying that the center plays a crucial role in meeting the workforce needs for the large-scale projects this administration is prioritizing.”

Senator Sullivan’s office issued a similar statement at the time, saying that he believes Job Corps is vital to preparing young Alaskans for the growing number of good-paying jobs essential to supporting the major private sector, military and infrastructure investments being made in Alaska. “The Senator has consistently supported funding for Job Corps through the annual appropriations process, and will do so again this year.”

The Don Young Alaska Job Corps Center provides free career and technical training in the following eight career fields:

Building and Construction Technology, Certified Medical Assistant, Certified Nursing Assistant, Culinary Arts, Electrical, Security and Protective Services, Water and Wastewater Management, and Welding.

“Our staff and students are really excited to get this news from both the courts and from congress that the Job Corps program is worthwhile and should be saved,” said Director Irvin. “We will continue to work hard to get the message out that we are open for business and here and ready to educate the next generation of Alaskans.”

To learn more about Job Corps, call (800) 733-JOBS or see www.jobcorps.gov