Sustainable Oregon Workforce Initiative
phase 1 report
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Sustainable Oregon Workforce
3EStrategies has been enlisted by the State of Oregon to coordinate development of a green jobs initiative and strong workforce for clean tech industries.
3EStrategies’ Business Alliance for Sustainable Energy (BASE) project received funding from the Governor’s Strategic Training Fund to implement the Sustainable Oregon Workforce Initiative.
3EStrategies will assist rural economic development agencies and community colleges in developing programs to train workers for the sustainable energy industry. The goal is to create a coherent, collaborative statewide networked system. 3EStrategies will be working closely with AFL-CIO to accomplish these aims.
The primary strategies of the SOW initiative include:
- Developing an inventory of existing training programs and plans
- Working directly with the clean energy industry to determine their current and near future workforce needs
- Integrating industry needs into academic programs
- Networking all relevant agencies, academic institutions and trade associations to avoid duplication, increase training program effectiveness and leverage resources
3EStrategies currently is heavily involved in developing a Green Jobs Initiative to be presented in the 2009 Oregon legislative session. Recent implementation of an “Oregon Green Jobs Summit” provided detailed information on initiatives under way in other states and municipalities and gathered feedback from all major stakeholders on the specific outcomes and strategies for the Oregon initiative.
“These grants not only allow us to diversify our economy in areas such as clean and renewable energy, but they also help address our workforce shortage in key sectors,” said Governor Kulongoski. “By helping companies access the workforce they need – and helping Oregonians access the skills they need – we can support sustainable jobs and a sustainable and strong economy.”
The Governor’s Strategic Training Fund grants – totaling $281,545 – are supported through federal Workforce Investment Act resources. The fund is targeted to assist companies with expansions and workforce training. The grants are awarded by the Governor to regional Workforce Response Teams through Regional and Local Workforce Investment Boards. Since 2003, the Governor’s Employer Workforce Investment Fund has helped train over 23,000 workers in critical knowledge-based industries in over 400 businesses across the state in sectors ranging from healthcare to manufacturing.