SCHUMER SUCCESSFULLY PROTECTS FEDERAL FUNDING FOR JOB CORPS ACROSS UPSTATE NY, PRESERVING ONE OF AMERICA’S LARGEST AND MOST EFFECTIVE JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS

After Trump Attempted To Totally Eliminate Job Corps, Schumer Announces Just-Passed Funding Bill Successfully Rejects Funding Cuts And Schumer Secured Language To Protect Job Corps Centers From Closure

Job Corps Provides Workforce Training To Thousands of Students Across America & Upstate NY - Located In Albany, Sullivan, Orleans, Otsego & Chautauqua Counties - Helping Underserved Workers Get The Skills They Need To Start Careers In Healthcare, Construction, Tech, And Other Fields With Worker Shortages

Schumer: Protecting Jobs Corps Is A Victory For Workers & Small Businesses Across Upstate NY

After Schumer stood at Job Corps centers across Upstate NY to lead the fight to protect one of the nation's largest and most effective workforce training programs from Trump's effort to eliminate it, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer today announced he has successfully preserved funding for Job Corps and helping students across America, including thousands in New York, get the skills they need to enter in-demand careers.

"Job Corps is one of the best bang for your buck programs we have to boost our local economies, which is why I fought hard to protect it from Trump's proposed cuts. I'm proud to announce that, following my advocacy, we have preserved funding for Job Corps, ensuring the continuation of one of America's largest and most effective workforce training programs," said Senator Schumer. "Last year, I traveled to Job Corps centers across Upstate NY from Otsego to Orleans County to meet with students, staff, and small business owners whose lives have been changed for the better because of this vital program. Job Corps has thousands upon thousands of success stories helping young people develop skills to find jobs in in-demand fields, and today is a victory for all of them and a testament to their hard work. I will continue standing up for federal programs like Job Corps that support our small businesses and help young New Yorkers find good jobs and thrive."

Anand Vimalassery, National Job Corps Association Interim President & CEO said, "Job Corps faced unprecedented disruption and uncertainty over the last year. Through it all, Senator Schumer stood by our students and staff in Calicoon, Cassadaga, Glenmont, Medina, New York City, and Oneonta. His leadership is helping ensure young adults in New York continue to have a pathway into the skilled workforce through Job Corps and we're grateful for his support."

After hearing about Trump's proposed cuts, Schumer traveled to Job Corps centers across Upstate New York, from the Iroquois Job Corps center in Orleans County to the Cassadaga Job Corps center in Chautauqua County and the Otsego Job Corps Center, to stand with students, staff, and small business owners and demand we protect this vital pipeline for skilled workers to fill jobs. The just-passed Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education funding bill rejects Trump's call to eliminate Job Corps and instead provides $1.76 billion in federal funding to keep them open. Schumer also secured language that blocks the closure of Job Corps Centers unless such closures meet specific requirements.

In May 2025, Trump paused operations at Job Corps centers nationwide. Afterward, a federal judge temporarily blocked Trump from shutting down Job Corps centers, and another federal judge said operations must resume until the previous case is resolved. Schumer explained that the Trump administration not only attempted to shut down Job Corps centers, but in his budget request, Trump said he wanted to totally zero out funding for the program, effectively killing the program without needing the approval of federal courts.

In addition to fighting back on Trump's proposed elimination of funds for Jobs Corps in the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bill, Schumer led efforts in the Senate to oppose the Trump administration's destructive and potentially illegal actions like pausing existing funds for the Job Corps centers. Schumer called on U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer to protect Job Corps and demanded answers on these destructive efforts. Thanks to Schumer's leadership, the Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education funding bill rejects Trump's call to eliminate Job Corps and instead provides $1.76 billion in federal funding - which is consistent with the previous year - to keep them open and includes language to protect against Trump's efforts to illegally shut down specific centers.

Schumer said Job Corps centers have helped millions of young people ages 16 to 24 finish high school, learn technical skills, and get jobs in in-demand fields such as healthcare and construction. Low-income and at-risk young people have received stable housing and healthcare while developing the skills they need to get good-paying jobs after graduation. Across Upstate NY, centers in Albany, Sullivan, Orleans, Otsego, and Chautauqua Counties serve thousands of young New Yorkers and employ over 500 staff.

"I remember the day President Trump called Job Corps a failure unworthy of American Investment. It felt like he was calling us failures unworthy of investment. That shattered any hope my classmates and I had," said Oneonta Job Corps Academy graduate Jaylynn Garelick. "But then, Senator Schumer stood up and joined the fight to save Job Corps. Without this program so many lives would've been destroyed. Thank you, Senator Schumer, for helping save Job Corps."

"The Iroquois Job Corps Center has been a cornerstone of opportunity in Orleans County for more than sixty years, helping young people gain the skills and credentials they need to succeed while strengthening our local economy," said Lynne Johnson, Chairman of the Orleans County Legislature. "Preserving funding for Job Corps is critical for our students, our workforce, and our community. Thanks to Senator Schumer, the Iroquois Job Corps Center can continue delivering real pathways to good-paying careers and supporting the next generation of skilled workers."

"Job Corps put me on a path to a good-paying union career, and Iroquois gave me the support to succeed," said Kevon Parson, an Iroquois Job Corps graduate and member of the Buffalo Bricklayers union. "I'm thankful Senator Schumer fought to preserve Job Corps funding so students across Upstate New York still have that same shot."

"Thank you, Senator Schumer, for securing the necessary federal funding for Job Corps. The Oneonta Job Corps Academy is a significant partner to area employers and the greater Otsego County Community. They are national leaders in overhead power training and furnish qualified employees to businesses from masonry and tile setting to auto body repair and nursing. Their graduates provide much needed workforce contributions to our struggling local labor market. But more than that, the true impact of Job Corps is that they change the life direction of our nation's at-risk youth. This return on investment is nearly incalculable," said Sean Lewis, Otsego County Chamber of Commerce President & CEO.

"I want to thank Senator Schumer for his strong and consistent advocacy for our community and for the Job Corps program. His leadership has made a real difference in protecting this vital vocational program for young people," said Sullivan County Legislator Catherine Scott. "As a Sullivan County legislator, I see firsthand the impact Job Corps has on our community. It is not only a major local employer, but a place where young people are given the opportunity to learn, grow, and build a future for themselves. The education and hands-on training students receive help them gain real skills, confidence, and a pathway out of poverty-opening doors that might otherwise remain closed."

"Thank you, Senator Chuck Schumer, for your advocacy efforts in preserving Job Corps," said Cassadaga Job Corps graduate Arlene Tariq, LMSW. "This program gave me real opportunity, skills, and direction at a time when I needed it most. Because of Job Corps, I was able to build a foundation for my future that truly changed my life."

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