EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, MO — Last week, the Excelsior Springs Job Corps Center hosted a Community Relations Council (CRC) meeting to address growing concerns about the future of the Job Corps program following a U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) transparency report and a federal directive to pause operations nationwide. The gathering brought together staff, community partners, and local advocates who challenged the accuracy of the report, highlighted the program’s ongoing value, and reinforced efforts to sustain operations amid a period of uncertainty.
The discussion focused on what speakers described as misleading data and omissions in the DOL’s April 2025 Transparency Report, which they argued fails to reflect the true effectiveness, safety, and economic return of the Job Corps model—particularly in Excelsior Springs.
“We’re not just training young people. We’re changing lives. The data needs to reflect that,” said one center official.
Challenging the Numbers: Local Data vs. Federal Reporting
According to the DOL’s transparency report, Job Corps students earn an average of $16,695 annually post-program. However, staff at the Excelsior Springs center presented internal data showing average earnings of $41,837 for graduates in Program Year 2023. The discrepancy, they explained, is due to the DOL’s inclusion of students who entered college, joined the military, or didn’t respond to post-exit surveys—all listed as earning $0, which dramatically skews the average.
Additionally, the report cites 14,913 “serious incident reports” (SIRs) in 2023, suggesting significant safety concerns. But local staff clarified that Job Corps defines “serious incidents” broadly—reporting everything from power outages to students arriving late to curfew. In contrast, the U.S. Department of Education only tracks criminal activity. Locally, Excelsior Springs reported a significant decrease in SIRs in recent years, including during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The meeting also called attention to the report’s failure to acknowledge vulnerable populations served by Job Corps. As of May 31, 2025, 22.7% of students (76 individuals) at the Excelsior Springs center were classified as homeless, many of whom rely on the center for housing, meals, and life-stabilizing services.
Economic and Workforce Contributions
Speakers at the meeting emphasized that Job Corps is not only an education and training provider—it is a workforce development engine serving the needs of industries such as construction, healthcare, and transportation. Graduates from the Excelsior Springs center have gone on to earn wages ranging from $16 to over $36 per hour, with many entering union-affiliated trades.
Examples of recent alumni successes shared included:
- Elijah at Superior Bowen: $21+/hr in union construction
- Amani, Food Service Coordinator: $25/hr
- Miss Hill, Assistant Signal Person at Union Pacific: $36.52/hr
- Mr. Gibson, Apprentice Painter: $23.52/hr
- Zoe, CNA at Hilltop on Blue River: $18.50/hr
Such outcomes challenge the federal narrative that the program is underperforming or financially inefficient.
Legal Action and a Temporary Pause in Closures
In response to the May 29 announcement that the Department of Labor would pause all contractor-operated Job Corps centers by June 30, 2025, the National Job Corps Association (NJCA) and partner organizations filed a lawsuit to stop or delay the closures. A temporary restraining order was granted on June 4, halting the DOL’s action, with a court hearing set for June 17.
The litigation seeks to:
- Reinstate background checks, which have been paused since March, preventing new enrollments.
- Stop the closure of centers nationwide.
Ensure continued funding for the program in the upcoming federal budget.
Morale and Support for Students
Amid the uncertainty, staff at Excelsior Springs Job Corps remain focused on student well-being. Initiatives like career spotlights, graduation celebrations, and center beautification projects are designed to maintain morale and remind students of their purpose. A new mentorship program—Legacy Builders—is being launched in partnership with AIM for Peace, offering added support to students affected by the instability.
In recognition of the large number of homeless students, the center is also forming a coalition of community partners to create a resource guide and plan for student housing support, should operations ultimately be suspended.
“We’ve made a promise to these students,” said one staff member. “We’re going to stand with them through this, no matter what.”
A Call for Continued Support
The meeting concluded with a clear message: Job Corps remains a critical pathway for youth who have few other options, and the Excelsior Springs community must remain engaged. Residents are encouraged to contact their elected officials, including Senators Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt and Congressman Sam Graves, to advocate for continued funding and protection of the program.
Job Corps advocates assert that while the program has financial challenges—stemming from flat federal funding since 2018, inflation, and unmandated labor cost increases—the solution lies in reform and investment, not dismantling.
“This program doesn’t just train workers—it transforms lives. And for communities like Excelsior Springs, the return on that investment is undeniable.”
Key Contacts:
Senator Josh Hawley – www.hawley.senate.gov/contact – (202) 224-6154
Senator Eric Schmitt – www.schmitt.senate.gov/contact – (202) 224-5721
Congressman Sam Graves (MO-6) – graves.house.gov – (202) 225-7041
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