Federal pause on Job Corps enrollment raises concerns for Maine’s young workforce
Posted on May 30, 2025 | News
NewsCenter Maine
Members of other Maine Department of Labor programs say the decision could hinder workforce development efforts across the state.
Author: Drew Peters
Published: 6:43 PM EDT May 27, 2025
Updated: 7:30 PM EDT May 27, 2025
BANGOR, Maine — The U.S. Department of Labor is temporarily pausing new student enrollment at both of Maine’s Job Corps centers — a move that has raised alarms among workforce advocates and state leaders.
The pause affects the Penobscot Job Corps Center in Bangor and the Loring Job Corps Center in Limestone. Federal officials cited “ongoing sustainability issues due to rising costs” as the reason for the enrollment freeze.
But many local leaders say the loss of access to these career-training programs could be detrimental to young Mainers searching for job readiness and opportunity.
Lee Umphrey, former director of the Penobscot Job Corps Center, emphasized how instrumental the program has been for students who haven’t thrived in traditional academic settings.
“A lot of people don’t succeed in school, and this is a place they can come and learn a trade — culinary arts, carpentry, all kinds of things,” Umphrey said.
He added that pulling back the program now could leave a significant void for young Mainers who might already be struggling in other aspects of their lives.
“Young people right now need to find opportunity and training. Not having Job Corps takes away an important piece of that development.”
Republican Senator Susan Collins is also among those speaking out, noting the long-term impact the program she’s seen both Job Corps centers have on their communities.
“I’ve seen so many teenagers have their lives completely turned around because of Job Corps,” Collins said.
She and others are urging the federal government to consider the benefits these centers provide before making any permanent changes.
To help fill the gap created by the pause, Umphrey is now working at the Eastern Maine Development Corporation (EMDC) which provides similar youth career opportunities. There, workforce development specialists like Brianna Lavine assist young adults with resume building and career exploration.
“Sometimes they need that extra support to help them build confidence and feel like they’re ready to do this,” Lavine said.
She noted that workforce development doesn’t just benefit students — it also strengthens local businesses in need of reliable employees to keep things running smoothly.
“Employers really start to feel a little weight off their shoulders. They’re like, ‘Oh wow, there are places finding me people who are interested in this.'”
Lavine warns that if programs like Job Corps continue to be scaled back, Maine could struggle to retain and grow a vibrant, young workforce.
“Showing them that there are opportunities right here in the state of Maine is really, really important.”
In a statement, the Department of Labor said it will continue evaluating the Penobscot and Loring centers in the coming weeks.