NEWS RELEASE: BOLI seeks pre-apprenticeship proposals to support women and minorities in the construction trades

[Burr, Charlie]

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Press Release
For Immediate Release
September 26, 2013
CONTACT: Charlie Burr, (971) 673-0788

BOLI seeks pre-apprenticeship proposals to support women and minorities in the construction trades
"Pre-apprenticeship programs can help students build a great career," says Avakian

Portland, OR-The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) is seeking proposals for pre-apprenticeship services to strengthen Oregon's highway construction workforce and encourage more women and minorities to pursue highway construction careers.

The pre-apprenticeship programs - a partnership between BOLI and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) - will engage students and young adults about opportunities and potential careers as carpenters, cement masons, ironworkers, laborers, operating engineers, or painters.

A total of $200,000 for the Population Specific Pre-Apprenticeship Training RFP will be divided into one to three winning proposals aimed at women and minority recruitment and retention for the highway construction trades. BOLI and ODOT will work to ensure that multiple ODOT regions are covered to the greatest extent possible.

"Students can build a great career in the highway construction trades," said Labor and Industries Commissioner Brad Avakian. "We want to ensure that all Oregonians - including women and minorities - have access to the skills and tools necessary to have a fair shot at a well-paying, family wage job."

The programs will seek to communicate career opportunities to traditionally underrepresented groups and create a support system for them to succeed in apprenticeship, especially during the first year of training. Career camps for students will be included in the programs. In addition, winning proposers will develop career guidance for those interested in highway construction trades and pre-employment counseling for graduates.

During the past legislative session, Sen. Chip Shields (D-Portland) and other legislative leaders helped passed Senate Bill 831A, which directs ODOT to spend up to $2.1 million of federal funds on construction workforce diversity and pre-apprenticeship training programs for women and minorities. The bill also provides resources for supportive services that remove barriers to participation.

Interested parties can attend a pre-proposal conference on Thursday, September 26, 2013 at the DAS Building, 1225 Ferry Street SE in Salem. Teams should submit proposals by 2:30 PM on October 28 at the DAS/Procurement Services office in Salem.

Successful proposers will start their 18-month programs on January 1, 2014. The RFP (#107-1509-13) is available on the Oregon Procurement Information Network (ORPIN<http://orpin.oregon.gov/open.dll/welcome>) website.

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Charlie Burr
Communications Director
Bureau of Labor and Industries
800 NE Oregon St., Ste. 1045
Portland, OR 97232-2180
(971) 673-0788 wk.
(503) 913-5407 cell.
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