US Department of Labor releases new Job Corps Transparency Report WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration today released a detailed report analyzing the financial performance and operational costs of the Job Corps Program, the federally funded residential career training and education program for eligible low-income young adults ages 16 to 24. The 2025 “Job Corps Transparency Report” delivers a granular, data-centric examination of program expenditures and efficiency metrics, aggregating unmanipulated financial data and performance evaluations produced by the department’s national Job Corps Office. This report specifically analyzes the most recently available metrics from program year 2023, including cost per enrollee and per graduate. “Taxpayers deserve to know the facts and outcomes of their multi-billion-dollar investment,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Lori Frazier Bearden. “This report underscores the department’s commitment to program transparency and accountability – both of which are essential for effective oversight, informed policymaking, and maintaining public trust.” The report’s metrics distinguish between two definitions of the term graduate: one reflecting traditional program completion in good standing (Traditional), and another using the statutory criteria from Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Sec. 116, Sec. 142, which counts individuals who do not complete the full program. The WIOA definition of graduate is “an enrollee that 1) receives a High School Diploma (HSD) or High School Equivalency (HSE), and/or 2) completes the requirements of a career technical training (CTT) program.”    Below is a summary of the overall findings from PY2023: Average Graduation Rate: Traditional: 32%WIOA Definition: 38%Average Cost Per Enrollee (Regardless of Length of Stay): $49,769.53 Average Cost Per Student Per Year (Average PY23 Headcount): $80,284.65           Average Total Cost Per Graduate: Traditional: $187,653WIOA Definition: $155,600Job Corps participants earn $16,695 annually on average, post separationAverage of Highest Center Costs per Graduate (Traditional Data):The 10 least efficient programs average $512,800 dollars per graduateThe top 50 least efficient programs average $319,085 per graduateAverage of Highest Center Costs per Graduate (WIOA Data):The 10 least efficient programs average $385,370 per graduateThe top 50 least efficient programs average $252,285 per graduateRead the full Job Corps Transparency Report. 
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Secretary Chavez-DeRemer warns states could lose federal funds if illegal immigrants allowed access to unemployment benefits WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer is urging governors to comply with President Trump’s directives ensuring tax dollars are not spent on encouraging or rewarding illegal immigration. In a letter sent today, the Secretary reminds all states that failing to fulfill existing legal obligations will result in the loss of federal funding through the Title III UI administrative grant.“Our nation’s unemployment benefits exist solely for workers who are eligible to receive them,” Secretary Chavez-DeRemer wrote. “Unemployment benefits are not a handout for those in our country illegally.”The Secretary’s reminder comes after the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration sent a letter last week to state unemployment insurance administrators, urging them to use the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s SAVE immigration database. Offered at no cost because of an action by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, this system will ensure states can verify the immigration status of individuals who file claims and indicate whether they are U.S. citizens.“I am committed to ensuring that the U.S. Department of Labor enforces the law and will personally work to safeguard Americans’ hard-earned tax dollars. I look forward to working with you on this effort,” Secretary Chavez-DeRemer concluded in the letter.Read the Secretary’s full letter to governors.
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Secretary Chavez-DeRemer warns states could lose federal funds if illegal immigrants allowed access to unemployment benefits WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer is urging governors to comply with President Trump’s directives ensuring tax dollars are not spent on encouraging or rewarding illegal immigration. In a letter sent today, the Secretary reminds all states that failing to fulfill existing legal obligations will result in the loss of federal funding through the Title III UI administrative grant.“Our nation’s unemployment benefits exist solely for workers who are eligible to receive them,” Secretary Chavez-DeRemer wrote. “Unemployment benefits are not a handout for those in our country illegally.”The Secretary’s reminder comes after the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration sent a letter last week to state unemployment insurance administrators, urging them to use the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s SAVE immigration database. Offered at no cost because of an action by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, this system will ensure states can verify the immigration status of individuals who file claims and indicate whether they are U.S. citizens.“I am committed to ensuring that the U.S. Department of Labor enforces the law and will personally work to safeguard Americans’ hard-earned tax dollars. I look forward to working with you on this effort,” Secretary Chavez-DeRemer concluded in the letter.Read the Secretary’s full letter to governors.
http://www.dol.gov/newsroom/re....leases/osec/osec2025

Secretary Chavez-DeRemer praises President Trump’s executive order aimed at expanding apprenticeships, modernizing workforce development WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer this evening attended the signing of President Trump’s Executive Order “Preparing Americans for High-Paying, Skilled Trade Jobs of the Future.” The directive calls on the U.S. Department of Labor, Department of Commerce, and Department of Education to “unlock the limitless potential of the American worker” by working toward strengthening Registered Apprenticeships, modernizing workforce development programs, and investing in opportunities to upskill workers to meet current labor market demands.“This decisive action is yet another example of President Trump keeping his promise to American workers, empowering them to fill good-paying, in-demand jobs that will secure our economic comeback,” Secretary Chavez-DeRemer said. “Under President Trump’s leadership, we are renewing the American Dream by revitalizing and reshaping our workforce into a highly skilled powerhouse of potential. I look forward to working with my colleagues to implement this executive order and usher in a new Golden Age of prosperity for all hardworking Americans.”The President’s executive order puts American workers first by requiring the three departments to:Review all federal workforce development programs to identify opportunities to modernize current requirements, invest in upskilling workers, develop educational pathways beyond a four-year degree, and reduce burdensome reporting requirements;Draft a plan to reach one million active apprentices by expanding access for in-demand occupations, providing consistent support, and improving connections between the education system and apprenticeships; andIncrease transparency and accountability in workforce development programs by collecting relevant data.Learn more about the executive order here. 
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Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report In the week ending April 19, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 222,000, an increase of 6,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 215,000 to 216,000. The 4-week moving average was 220,250, a decrease of 750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 220,750 to 221,000.
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