Rep. Fields is Deeply Disappointed in President Trump’s Closure of the Shreveport Job Corps Center and Job Corps Centers Across America

Washington, D.C. – On Friday the Shreveport Job Corps Center, and Job Corps centers across the country were notified that they must close, under the direction of President Trump’s Department of Labor. There is absolutely no justifiable reason for this abrupt closure, which came without congressional approval. 

For 45 years, the Shreveport Job Corps Center has been a staple in the community and a lifeline for students. Since its inception, the free career training, GED services, employment placement, and personal development that happens at a Job Corps site has been instrumental to the success of more than 2 million young people ages 16 to 24 across the country. 

In Shreveport specifically, the closure of this facility will be dire for the students and the surrounding communities. According to facility staff, there were 130 full time staff, and approximately 250 students enrolled, with up to 150 students staying on campus at the time President Trump’s directive was issued. 

“Some of these students have nowhere to go. Job Corps serves the young people in every state and community, no matter Republican or Democrat, who want to make an honest living with the resources they have. Taking away one of the few affordable pathways to education and employment that exists in America, is taking away everything some of these students have,” said Congressman Fields.

Congressman Fields has urgently sent a letter to President Trump and Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer on this matter and has requested an immediate response.