Students and staff at the Wind River Job Corps in Riverton, Wyoming, gathered outside the facility in protest on Wednesday, as the program faces a temporary shutdown ordered by the U.S. Department of Labor.
The shutdown, which is scheduled to take effect by June 30, follows a recommendation from the President’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to end funding for 99 Job Corps facilities across the country, including Riverton’s program.
Job Corps Faces Uncertain Future
Job Corps, a key program aimed at providing vocational training to young people, has been part of the community for decades. However, due to recent budget cuts, the future of the Riverton center is in jeopardy.
Originally budgeted at over $1.7 billion for 2024, the program’s funding has been slashed to just about $35 million as part of the “Big Beautiful Bill” passed by the U.S. House. This bill is now under review by the Senate.
Wyoming’s Congressional leaders, including Rep. Harriet Hageman and Sen. John Barrasso, have historically supported the Wind River Job Corps. Hageman has praised the program for its life-changing impact, and Barrasso was a keynote speaker at the center’s graduation in August 2023.
Despite this support, the program’s funding remains uncertain as the Senate continues to debate the budget bill.
Protest for Program Survival
On Wednesday, more than 100 students, staff, and supporters gathered outside the Wind River Job Corps to demand that the program be saved. With chants of “Save our Job Corps!” and signs reading “Keep Opportunity Alive,” the protestors expressed hope that the Senate Appropriations Committee might restore funding for the program.
Jerri Prejean, the community liaison for the Wind River Job Corps, was present at the protest to support the students. She emphasized the importance of the program, noting that it has a 75% graduation rate, with 85% of graduates finding jobs in a trade that matches their training.
Prejean pointed out that many students in the program come from low-income families, and the Job Corps offers them an opportunity for a better future.
Students Face Uncertainty
The shutdown has left students like Thomas Christiania, 18, scrambling to finish their education. Christiania, who had joined the heavy equipment mechanic program, was set to graduate from high school in two months but now faces a shortened timeline to complete his remaining studies.
Similarly, 17-year-old Wyatt McNerny, who calls the Job Corps his “home,” is losing both his schooling and his living situation. McNerny had struggled with homelessness before joining Job Corps and is now uncertain about his future.
Though he plans to seek a job with an electrical company, he is saddened by the program’s potential closure.
Isaac Good, another 17-year-old student, is also affected by the shutdown. Good, who was five months away from graduating with a degree in heavy equipment mechanics, is being fast-tracked to complete his program this week. He expressed frustration about the situation but remains hopeful for a future in his chosen field.
Community Support and Future Hopes
Despite the challenges, the students and staff at Wind River Job Corps remain hopeful that the program can be saved. The National Job Corps Association has filed a temporary restraining order against the federal cuts, though it remains unclear if this will allow the program to continue. Prejean urged the public to contact their congressional representatives to voice support for the program, which has a long history of success.
“This program has definitely bettered me as a person,” said Christiania, reflecting on how Job Corps has helped him improve his skills and character. “It sucks to see this place go.”
With the future of the program hanging in the balance, the protestors are calling on lawmakers to act quickly and restore funding to prevent the closure of the Wind River Job Corps.
