Bresnahan Joins Key Stakeholders for Roundtable on Local Impact of Job Corps
DRUMS, PA: Yesterday, U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan, Jr. (PA-08) participated in a roundtable with local stakeholders and elected officials to discuss the direct impacts of Keystone Job Corps Center on Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA). Located in Rep. Bresnahan’s district in Drums, PA, Keystone Job Corps Center offers a wide variety of career and technical training programs, including construction, healthcare, culinary arts, information technology, manufacturing, security, and other trades. Keystone partners with local businesses, nonprofits, labor unions, and local communities to equip students with the skills needed to find employment here in NEPA.
Since the start of his time in Congress, Rep. Bresnahan has been a strong supporter of the Job Corps Program, a free, federal education and vocational training program aimed at helping young people between the ages of 16 and 24 who face barriers to employment.
“Right here in NEPA, Keystone is transforming lives, putting our local students on the path to success,” said Rep. Bresnahan.“By providing training for in-demand fields like construction, healthcare, and manufacturing, they are being set up for family-sustaining careers, building the confidence needed to live meaningful lives, and contribute positively back to our communities. I want to thank Keystone Leadership and community stakeholders for coming together today and highlighting the real-life impacts that our young people of our region. I am, and will continue to be, a proud voice for the Job Corps Program in Congress.”
“Yesterday, I was honored to be part of a roundtable discussion with Congressman Bresnahan and several other key community leaders for Keystone Job Corps, and it was a great turnout,” said Tony Colombo, President of The Hazleton Helps. “I thought what we did was we tried to stress the importance of Job Corp for the community, the students, and the faculty. For the economy, it has to be saved because it is such a diamond to Hazleton and the local area.
“It was an honor to be part of yesterday’s conversation with Congressman Bresnahan,” said Steve Padrusnak, Northeast Field Coordinator, IUPAT Job Corps Program. “Having the opportunity to share the life-changing impact that the Job Corps program has on young adults is deeply meaningful to me. Watching these young adults grow, thrive, and step into careers they once thought were out of reach is truly inspiring. Seeing Rob’s genuine support and strong commitment to the program was encouraging because this program matters.”
Participants in the roundtable included Kelly King, Executive Center Director, Keystone JobCorps; Gary Perna, Keystone WIOA Manager; Alan Kost, Manager Butler Township; Tony Colombo, President Hazleton Helps; Danielle Matarella, Director, Catholic Social Services, Hazleton; Rich Foley, Senior Council Representative Carpenters and Joiners Local 445; Steve Padrusk, IUPAT; Gordon Peterson, Krieger Construction; Susan Troy-Connors, Troy Mechanical; Michelle Mikitish, President Pittston Chamber of Commerce; and Leann Fallabel, Vice President Hazleton Chamber.
Background:
On May 29, 2025, U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer sent notices to 99 privately operated Job Corps Centers, including Keystone, stating they must cease operations by June 30, 2025. Rep. Bresnahan, who advocated for fully funding the Job Corps Program early this year, immediately started working with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find a solution. One week later, Rep. Bresnahan joined nearly 200 of his colleagues on a letter to Secretary Chavez-DeRemer to show support for the Job Corps program and ask for DOL to reconsider the announced closures.
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