Our projects
Sustainable Oregon Workforce
3EStrategies Enlisted by State of Oregon to SOW the Seeds for a Strong Workforce for Clean Energy Companies
3EStrategies’ Business Alliance for Sustainable Energy (BASE) project received a grant 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
“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 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.