HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The U.S. Department of Labor announced Friday it will suspend all operations at Job Corps sites nationwide effective June 30.
The educational institution provides free career training to prepare students and job seekers with skills and tools for the workforce.
It was a bittersweet day in Waimanalo, where the Hawaii Job Corps participants took part in what will likely be the center’s last graduation.
“It’s super devastating,” said Tahiti Crowell. “A lot of my family went through this program, and so much kids or students needs it in order to successfully make it.”
Crowell speaks from experience. She says Job Corps helped her in her pursuit to become a nursing assistant.
“Before this, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I didn’t really have a set plan, but Job Corps provided so many opportunities, skilled training,” Crowell said.
She’s not alone. Marie Kuuipomoi is proud she was able to complete her landscaping curriculum. It saddens her to think that others will not be able to follow in her footsteps.
“I had the opportunity to finish, but to those other people, future generations, and all the other students that can’t, that is just devastating,” she said.
For more than 60 years, the Hawaii Job Corps has provided a ray of hope for those who had no other options.
Alex Ripuca dropped out of a high school. He says through job corps, he got his diploma and completed two programs here, and was about to complete his third.
“Most people that come to Job Corps, they’ve had a rough time and they needed a fresh start. Like they all drop out of high school or they just need something to get on the road,” said Ripuca.
Lisa Chilson-McCraw is a mental health counselor for Job Corps. Friday was her last day on the job.
She says as hard as it is for her, her heart is with the students who will have nowhere to go at the end of next month.
“They’re all trying to plan. They all feel like the rug has been pulled out from underneath them. This was plan B. This was their only option,” she said.
The Job Corps closure also extends to the local community in Waimanalo. Several local businesses have hired graduates who have turned out to be outstanding employees.
Big Rock Garden sells plants and garden supplies just down the street from Job Corps’ Waimanalo campus.
“We have employees today that started there and they’re here today, and they’re successful,” said Big Rock Garden’s Chelsea Kim.
“I think that the Job Corps program is an important program that really helps this community. It helps the students learn discipline, showing up to work on time, on the job training, real-life job skills that they need to further themselves to give them a better future,” she said.
A spokesperson from Job Corps released this statement to HNN:
“This decision to close the program will result in a significant setback to our nation’s workforce development efforts, as we lose a crucial pipeline for skilled workers.
We are grateful for the outpouring of support we have received from our community supporters, friends, and leadership in Hawaii during this difficult time."