Nevada Leaders Urge Labor Department to Restore Job Corps Funding

A bipartisan coalition of Nevada leaders, including Governor Joe Lombardo, Democratic Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen, and several congressional representatives, is urging the Trump administration to reverse its decision to defund and close the Sierra Nevada Job Corps Center in Reno. The Job Corps program, which has operated for over 60 years, provides free residential education and vocational training to low-income young adults aged 16 to 24, with a strong record of helping students graduate, earn certifications, and secure employment with wages significantly above the state minimum. The Department of Labor's planned closure threatens to displace nearly 300 students and 170 staff members, many of whom rely on the center not only for training but also for affordable housing, placing students at risk of homelessness. The coalition’s letter emphasizes the program’s vital role in supporting workforce development, especially as nearly three-quarters of jobs now require training beyond high school. Despite the administration citing budget deficits and questioning the program’s effectiveness, Nevada officials highlight recent data showing an 82% employment rate among graduates and call for reconsideration to prevent severe community and economic impacts. They also acknowledge the department's efforts to improve accountability but stress the importance of maintaining this crucial resource for youth and employers in Nevada.