Astoria Job Corps to Close Under Federal Budget Cuts
📝 Summary
The Tongue Point Job Corps Center in Astoria, Oregon, is shutting down by the end of June 2025, displacing 350 students. The closure is part of a federal directive from the Department of Labor, aligning with the President’s 2026 budget. While the government cites financial reasons, community leaders and educators argue the cuts undermine youth career development and local job training pipelines.
📊 Visual Overview:
| 📍 Location | 👨🎓 Students Affected | 🏢 Reason Cited | 📅 Final Closure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Astoria, Oregon | 350 | Budget Realignment (2026) | June 30, 2025 |
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What Is Happening at Tongue Point Job Corps?
- The U.S. Department of Labor announced the termination of 99 Job Corps centers nationwide, including Tongue Point.
- All 350 students will be sent home, some as early as June 5.
- The government cited a $140M deficit in 2024, with projected costs soaring to $213M in 2025.
- The termination was described as “for the government’s convenience.”
🎓 Job Corps: A Pathway to the Middle Class
Job Corps students were offered:
- Tuition-free certifications in construction, manufacturing, trades
- Military training and pathways into service
- Job placement support after training
❌ Impact on Students:
“Just to like pick up and leave is so hard on anybody. It causes an enormous amount of trauma.”
— Terri Steenbergen, Director at The Harbor
💔 Voices from the Ground
- Students near certification now face uncertainty
- Emotional strain on low-income, minority youth
- Many are now homeless or without support
🛠️ Key Issues at a Glance:
1. What Students Lose:
- Vocational certifications
- Housing and meals
- Career counseling and job placement
2. What the Community Faces:
- Increased unemployment
- Strain on shelters and nonprofits
- Loss of skilled labor pipeline
💬 Quote from Director Mac McGoldrick:
“This administration speaks a great deal about developing the American workforce… and that’s what Job Corps does. I still have a glimmer of hope.”
🧾 Why This Matters
- The closure contradicts federal initiatives promoting skilled trades, apprenticeships, and union-based employment.
- Oregon’s workforce development could suffer significant setbacks.
- Local programs like The Harbor are stepping in to help with basic needs like bags, hygiene supplies, and food.
📅 Timeline of Closure
- May 29 – Official DOL memo released
- June 5 – First 100 students sent home
- June 30 – Final closure date
- July–Aug – Ongoing community aid and lobbying efforts
“This administration speaks a great deal about developing the American workforce and increasing the training for skilled trades, and increasing apprenticeships and union placements and that’s what Job Corps does,” McGoldrick said. “You know, I still have a glimmer of hope. I’m not gonna give up until I have to.”
