NEWS RELEASE: BOLI Announces Round II of Highway Workforce Development Agreements

[Kate Newhall]

Bureau of Labor and Industries Commissioner Brad Avakian

Press Release
For Immediate Distribution
March 16, 2011
CONTACT: Kate Newhall, 503-467-1665

BOLI Announces Round II of Highway Workforce Development Agreements Key
Training and Support Programs Will Help Reduce Barriers to Employment,
Diversify the Highway Workforce, and Keep Oregonians on the Job

PORTLAND – Oregon’s Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) today
announced two more agreements that will provide critical training and
support for Oregon workers in the highway construction trades.  The
contracts, which were awarded to the Oregon and Southern Idaho
Laborers-Employers Training Trust (OSILETT) and Portland Community
College (PCC), represent the second round of agreements made pursuant to
the BOLI-ODOT Heavy Highway Workforce Development Program.

“Our top priority is expanding job opportunities for Oregonians around
the state, and that’s exactly what this program does,” said BOLI
Commissioner Brad Avakian.  “Under the projects we’re announcing today,
early training will be more accessible to women and people of color who
are seeking careers in the highway construction industry, and key
support will be available to help young apprentices overcome financial
barriers to completing their training and qualifying for living-wage
jobs.”

Oregon Department of Transportation Director Matt Garrett emphasized the
importance of the highway workforce development program to the state’s
overall economic health:  “Our transportation infrastructure is critical
to Oregon’s competitiveness in the global marketplace, and a highly
qualified workforce strengthens that infrastructure, while broadening
workforce skills.”   

Pursuant to their agreements with the state, OSILETT and PCC will
provide a wide variety of services, including expanded educational
opportunities for students interested in highway construction careers,
guidance, and targeted training for aspiring apprentices.  OSILETT will
receive $172,870 to provide services across Oregon, and PCC will receive
approximately $101,313 to provide services in the Portland/METRO region.


The agreements announced today follow two contract awards unveiled last
month: a $623,265 contract with Cooper Zeitz to provide training and
support services statewide, and a $69,458 contract with Portland
Youthbuilders focused on youth pre-apprenticeship services in the
Portland/METRO region.  

BOLI expects to announce the final contract award under the Heavy
Highway Workforce Development Program later this month.  In all, the
program provides up to $1 million for services that increase diversity
in the highway construction workforce and help Oregonians gain and keep
high-skill, living-wage jobs.

                                                                        
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The mission of the Bureau of Labor and Industries is to protect
employment rights, advance employment opportunities, and protect access
to housing and public accommodations free from discrimination.

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