Casey Statement on Release of Job Corps IG Report

Statement

Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released the following statement on the release of the Inspector General's report on Job Corps. Senator Casey had asked for the report.

"Job Corps has a proven record of providing young people with the skills they need to succeed in the workplace. Unfortunately, mismanagement by Washington bureaucracy has undermined the program. The Inspector General's report sheds new light on the persistent failure to adequately budget, plan and monitor costs.

This report highlights serious problems in Job Corps that must be addressed. There needs to be increased accountability as well as transparency. Most importantly, Jobs Corps management needs to restore the confidence of the American people.

As the IG report makes clear: basic financial and personnel management problems are at the root of the problem. It is imperative that vacant positions at the Department of Labor are quickly filled. Tom Perez should be quickly voted on and confirmed by the Senate to be the next Secretary of Labor and a new Assistant Secretary for Education and Training must be nominated and confirmed.

I look forward to meeting with the incoming Administrator for the Office of Job Corps to hear in detail how the IG's recommendations will be implemented.

I intend to continue to press for improvements to shore up financial management and to ensure Job Corps can continue to train young people to enter the workforce and contribute to the economy."

Pennsylvania has four Job Corps sites across the Commonwealth: Keystone, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Red Rock. These facilities provide disadvantaged youth with the opportunity to gain the skills needed to secure a good job, enter the Armed Services, or further their education. Students, educators and community leaders rely on the contributions Pennsylvania's Job Corps centers make to their communities.

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