News Summary
The Shreveport Job Corps Center will close on June 30, 2025, displacing nearly 300 students who rely on its services for career training and educational support. With federal funding cuts behind the decision, local officials are expressing concerns about the impact on the workforce and students’ futures. The center has provided essential services for 45 years, and its closure is set to affect not just students, but also around 130 staff members who will lose their jobs.
Shreveport – The Shreveport Job Corps Center is set to close its doors on June 30, 2025, impacting nearly 300 students who rely on its services for career training, housing, and educational support. Specifically, 285 students will be relocated to shelters, group homes, or even other states, with some being sent as far away as South Carolina, Georgia, and Washington.
The closure of the center is a direct result of significant federal funding cuts mandated by the U.S. Department of Labor. It is part of a broader initiative affecting 99 Job Corps centers across the country that will undergo a phased pause in operations. The decision comes after the federal government announced a phase-out of operations at contractor-operated Job Corps centers, citing “serious operational and safety concerns.” These cuts are due to a reported deficit of $140 million, which is expected to rise to $213 million by 2025.
The Shreveport center, which has been operational for 45 years, caters to youths aged 16 to 24 by providing free career training, housing, and assistance in earning a high school diploma. However, the impending closure is set to displace hundreds of students who face uncertainty about their future education and job training opportunities.
Local officials and community leaders have expressed alarm over the potential ramifications of the center’s closure. The Caddo Parish Commission has voiced its distress about the impact on the community and local workforce. The closure not only affects the students but also the center’s staff, with approximately 130 local employees expected to lose their jobs.
In light of the situation, Job Corps Center Director Dennis Essom confirmed that the remaining students are being given options, which may involve being sent home or to other agencies for continued support. Local leaders are actively advocating for alternative training and assistance pathways for those displaced by the closure, seeking solutions to help students transition effectively.
Community members have rallied to urge Congress and the Department of Labor to reconsider the decision to close the Shreveport center. Many students, including local resident Rolanda Jackson, have openly expressed their distress over the sudden announcement and the limited choices available for continuing their education and training.
Staff members at the center have reported feeling heartbroken over the abrupt closure, stating that they received no advance notice about the impending shutdown. The hard-working employees are understandably concerned about the fate of their students and the strength of the local workforce pipeline, which relied on Job Corps graduates to meet the demands of local industries.
The Shreveport Job Corps Center’s closure will have a lasting impact on the community, with local industries potentially facing labor shortages due to the loss of a significant training resource. With the program catering to young individuals, its absence raises concerns about not only the individual futures of the students affected but also the overall economic stability of Shreveport.
As the June 2025 closure date approaches, the community continues to advocate for options that can provide essential support and training for displaced students, highlighting the need for continuity in educational resources during this transitional period.
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Additional Resources
- KSLA: Nearly 300 Students Displaced by Closure of Shreveport Job Corps Center
- Shreveport-Bossier Advocate: Shreveport Job Corps Center Closing
- Shreveport Times: City Council Reacts to Impending Job Corps Closure
- KTBS: Shreveport Job Corps Center to Close Amid Federal Budget Cuts
- KSLA: Caddo Parish Commission Says Closure is Deeply Troubling
