From bob.estabrook at state.or.us Tue Mar 6 12:25:23 2012 From: bob.estabrook at state.or.us (Bob Estabrook) Date: Tue, 06 Mar 2012 12:25:23 -0800 Subject: PRESS RELEASE- Avakian highlights hands-on learning in visit with local students Message-ID: <4F560232.919A.00CA.0@boli.state.or.us> Press Release For Immediate Distribution March 6, 2012 CONTACT: Bob Estabrook, 503-709-0730 Avakian highlights hands-on learning in visit with local students Roundtable discussion spotlights Corvallis? success, growing opportunities CORVALLIS?Local education officials and community partners sat down with Oregon Labor and Industries Commissioner Brad Avakian today for a roundtable discussion on the importance of Career and Technical Education (CTE). The group, meeting at IBEW Local 280?s TrainingCenterin Tangent, discussed the successful model used in Corvallis, the state?s new CTERevitalization Grant Fund that Avakian helped to create, and the next steps in bringing these critical learning opportunities to other Oregonstudents. The Corvallisprogram has been the successful result of BOLI?s high-school integration initiative and gives students from Corvallis, CrescentValley, and College Hill High Schools real-world training experience, practicing hands-on skill development. ?We can partner with local businesses, labor unions and others for equipment and expertise to rapidly broaden vocational education options,? Avakian explained, emphasizing the success of Corvallis? collaborative efforts and how neighboring school districts are following that example. ?Oregonbusinesses and labor unions consistently tell me they?re ready and willing to help, and now that the state is starting to match their efforts we?re in a very strong position.? As Labor and Industries Commissioner, Avakian has championed expanded vocational education hands-on learning for middle and high school students, he has empowered Oregonians to join the skilled workforce at a younger age, and he has ensured that Oregonemployers will have an available workforce trained with the appropriate skills. Creation of a statewide grant fund in 2011 marked a major win for the coalition Avakian built in support of vocational education and will allow for the expansion of successful programs and the establishment of new ones in communities around the state. ?Career Technical Education is a sound investment with a high rate of return,? Avakian noted. ?With hand-on learning and exposure to real-world training, we can increase engagement in learning for all levels of students, increase graduation rates, and lay the foundation for a highly skilled, internationally competitive workforce.? ?With a good state policy in place, we can capitalize on the potential of our students, teachers and community partners to build the 21st Century workforce that will drive Oregon?s economic prosperity.? ##### 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. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 03.06.12 BOLI Release - Corvallis CTE Event.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 24683 bytes Desc: not available URL: From bob.estabrook at state.or.us Thu Mar 8 12:14:09 2012 From: bob.estabrook at state.or.us (Bob Estabrook) Date: Thu, 8 Mar 2012 12:14:09 -0800 Subject: NEWS RELEASE: Avakian spotlights high-wage careers in visit with local students Message-ID: <4F58A291.919A.00CA.0@boli.state.or.us> Press Release For Immediate Distribution March 8, 2012 CONTACT: Bob Estabrook, 503-709-0730 Avakian spotlights high-wage careers in visit with local students Hillsboro Chamber and local unions partner to offer skilled trade career exploration WASHINGTON COUNTY?Oregon Labor and Industries Commissioner Brad Avakian today encouraged Washington County high school students to consider careers in the skilled trades at a union apprenticeship career day held at Merlo Station High School. Avakian, the state?s champion for 21st Century shop classes and other hands-on learning, also described a vision for education in Oregon that includes more opportunities for students to gain job skills and explore pathways that don?t lead to a college degree. ?We are on the verge of great new partnerships with local businesses, labor unions and others for equipment and expertise to rapidly broaden our kids? options,? Avakian said, describing the importance of Oregon?s new Career and Technical Education Revitalization Grant Fund. ?Oregon businesses and labor unions consistently tell me they?re ready and willing to help empower our next workforce, and the proof is right here in Washington County in today?s event.? As Labor and Industries Commissioner, Avakian has championed job skills and career pathway options for all middle and high school students, empowering Oregonians to join the skilled workforce at a younger age and ensuring that Oregon employers have workers with the skills they need right now. The 2011 creation of a statewide grant fund marks a major win for the coalition that Avakian built around public investment in youth skills training, allowing the expansion of successful programs and establishment of new ones in communities around the state. ?You all probably heard that Hillsboro High School had to get private donations to keep a veteran auto shop teacher,? Avakian told the students. ?Well, I?m excited that as we start rolling out these grants to support hands-on learning programs around the state, that ?bake sale? funding model is going to be replaced with the kind of serious commitment that our state, our employers and our students deserve.? ?Career and technical education is a sound investment with a high rate of return,? Avakian noted. ?We can increase engagement in learning for all levels of students, reduce drop-out rates and increase graduation rates, and lay the foundation for a highly skilled, internationally competitive workforce. With a good state policy in place, we can capitalize on the potential of our students, teachers and community partners to build the 21st Century workforce that will drive Oregon?s economic prosperity.? ##### 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. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpg Size: 7303 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 03.08.12 BOLI Release - Washington County CTE Event.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 19604 bytes Desc: not available URL: