Cassadaga Job Corps has been paused for now.

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer is going on record saying both he and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand are opposed to closing down Job Corps.

The U.S. Department of Labor is attempting to shut down all federally contracted Job Corps sites in the United States, which would include the Cassadaga Job Corps.

“We must save Job Corps for Upstate New York,” Schumer said in a video news conference Tuesday. “Job Corps is one of the federal government’s largest job training programs; it gives young people the skills they need for jobs in highly demand fields.”

Schumer was critical of the Trump administration for proposing to close the 99 locations, which includes five in upstate New York. “They haven’t even shown why they don’t like it. They haven’t produced any evidence why it doesn’t do a good job,” he said.

Schumer said the private industry needs organizations like Job Corps. “Losing the Job Corps would be a gut punch to our small businesses. They can’t get workers. Some of the big businesses can train workers on their own but a lot of our smaller businesses can’t. They’ve always depended on the Job Corps,” he said.

Schumer said he and Gillibrand are both for Job Corps, but encouraged residents to reach out to their local leaders.

On Wednesday, Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel issued a statement saying that he opposes the closure of the local Job Corps.

“As county executive and a former educator, I’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of education and workforce training. The Cassadaga Job Corps plays a vital role in preparing our young people with the practical skills and real-world experience needed to thrive in today’s economy,” he said. “Throughout my career in education and now in public service, I’ve remained committed to strengthening the bridge between education and employment. Programs like those offered at Cassadaga are essential in meeting the growing demand for skilled labor in Chautauqua County — not only supporting existing industries but also aiding in attracting new businesses to our region. Job training isn’t just about filling positions; it’s about empowering individuals, building stronger communities, and laying the foundation for long-term economic growth. I commend the Cassadaga Job Corps for their continued efforts, and I fully support their mission to equip our workforce with the tools needed for success.”

It appears Rep. Nick Langworthy voted for the Job Corps closure when he voted for Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill. The bill reportedly eliminates all funding for the program.

Schumer expects the House of Representatives will again have the chance to restore Job Corps funding. “The House is going to have another chance at this bill,” he said.

Schumer is calling on Republican House members to back funding the program. “Most New York Republican districts rely on workers trained at Upstate New York Job Corps centers and the people don’t want to see them cut. So the folks who work in the Job Corps, the folks who get benefits from the Job Corps, the folks who care about the Job Corps have real power, because if we get three or four of these Republican congressmen to Speaker (Mike) Johnson and say ‘Don’t cut the Job Corps,’ he can’t,” Schumer said.

Statewide, Schumer said Job Corps employs about 500 people in upstate New York, around 100 work in Cassadaga.

During the video conference, Schumer highlighted Cassadaga specifically, noting that it provides training in fields such as healthcare, carpentry, and plumbing.