Cherokee Nation vocational program says Job Corps center is rebounding and ranks 18th nationally

Executive Director Diane Kelly told the Cherokee Nation Education Committee that the nation’s Job Corps center is recovering enrollment after recent federal shutdowns and is improving academic outcomes.

Kelly said the center’s “numbers are going up” and that "we're ranked number 18 in the nation out of a 119 centers." She credited staff training and outside partnerships for gains in reading and math and told the council the center has benefited from donations and grants, including a tractor from the Tulsa Job Corps Center and washers and dryers secured through a Cherokee Nation grant. She also said the center received a confection oven and other equipment to support hands-on training.

Why it matters: Job Corps centers provide career and technical training that can lead to employment or further education. Moves to restore enrollment and improve student outcomes affect workforce pipelines across the Cherokee Nation’s service area.

Kelly said recent ribbon-cuttings and outreach in areas such as Sallisaw and Claremore reflect broader efforts across the 14-county service area. She noted the federal government shutdowns set back enrollment work twice this year and that staff are “working very diligently and hard to get those enrollment numbers back up and staffing.”

Councilors asked for clarification and offered praise. Counselor Danny Callison thanked Kelly and other staff for their community outreach; Kelly responded that the Job Corps regional director had called to commend recent progress.

The report was delivered during a routine committee meeting; no formal actions were taken on the vocational report itself.

Next steps: Kelly’s written report is in the meeting packet and staff will continue outreach and training work as they await any further federal guidance.