NEWS RELEASE: Avakian announces BOLI Business Leadership Award for outstanding Oregon employer

[Burr, Charlie]

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Press Release
For Immediate Release
November 4, 2013
CONTACT:           Charlie Burr, (971) 673-0788, Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries
                                Stephanie Swanson, (971) 246-1732, Clean Energy Works


Avakian announces BOLI Business Leadership Award for outstanding Oregon employer

Clean Energy Works praised for efforts to build a stronger, more inclusive and diverse workforce



PORTLAND-Labor and Industries Commissioner Brad Avakian today awarded Oregon non-profit Clean Energy Works a BOLI Workforce Champion Award for the organization's efforts to generate economic opportunities for women, veterans and people of color.


The BOLI Business Award recognizes employers and organizations for their contributions to ensuring a highly skilled, competitive and diverse workforce for our state.



During the past three years, Clean Energy Works retrofitting projects have resulted in paychecks to more than 1,000 workers and 340 direct new hires. Notably, women and people of color have performed fifty-five percent of all construction work hours on projects spanning 19 Oregon counties. To date, 22 veterans have found employment because of Clean Energy Works programs.



"Our state is deeply fortunate to have great employers," said Avakian. "Today's award recognizes Clean Energy Works for going beyond the call of duty in its efforts to foster a more inclusive and diverse construction workforce. I appreciate the organization's commitment to putting equity at the center of its operations. More women and people of color now have good jobs saving Oregonians energy as a result."



Commissioner Avakian presented the organization with the recognition at the agency's 29th Annual BOLI Employment Law Conference.


"We are so honored to be recognized by the BOLI Workforce Champion Award," said Derek Smith, CEO of Clean Energy Works. "Clean Energy Works is committed to building a more inclusive, diverse workforce with a strong network of business and community partners.  With more than 600,000 homes in Oregon still in need of energy upgrades, there are many more opportunities to grow our economy and create good, local jobs."


Partnerships with local non-profits and workforce organizations play an important role in Clean Energy Works' efforts. Project leaders work to connect CEW contractors with workforce partners such as Constructing Hope<http://www.constructinghope.com/>, Oregon Tradeswomen Inc.<http://www.tradeswomen.net/> and Portland YouthBuilders<http://www.pybpdx.org/> so that women and people of color have better access to skills training and support.


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About the Bureau of Labor and Industries

The mission of the Bureau of Labor and Industries is to protect employment rights, advance employment opportunities, and ensure access to housing and public accommodations free from discrimination. BOLI's technical assistance program works to help employers navigate state and federal regulations to avoid violations, responding to nearly 20,000 inquiries from businesses large and small. For more information about BOLI's efforts to support Oregon employers and workforce, visit http://www.oregon.gov/BOLI.



About Clean Energy Works
Clean Energy Works is a non-profit, public-private partnership accelerating total home performance upgrades in Oregon.  The organization activates a powerful collaboration of local contractors, lenders, governments, and utilities to make it easy and affordable for Oregonians to improve the comfort and health of their homes, while lowering energy expenses by a third or more.  Clean Energy Works is nationally recognized as an innovative model that successfully multiplies energy savings, good jobs and other environmental benefits to transform local communities. For more information, visit http://www.cleanenergyworksoregon.org.


Charlie Burr
Communications Director
Bureau of Labor and Industries
800 NE Oregon St., Ste. 1045
Portland, OR 97232-2180
(971) 673-0788 wk.
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