ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — An education and job training program that aims to help low-income young adults is facing an uncertain future. The U.S. Department of Labor announced it is pausing operations at contractor operated Job Corps centers nationwide, including the center in St. Petersburg.

The department said Job Corps has been in a financial crisis for years. Data from the 2023 Job Corps transparency report said the average graduation rate for traditional students nationwide was 32%. The graduation rate for traditional students at the Pinellas County center was 42.3%.

The labor department also said the decision to pause operations aligns with the president's 2026 budget proposal to deliver meaningful results for students and taxpayers.

Students at the Pinellas County Job Corps F

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