Brad Avakian, Oregon's top labor official, knew career programs were disappearing from Oregon schools. But when parents at a 2009 town hall at Prineville High School told Avakian how concerned they were for their children's futures, he decided to do something about it.
After the gathering, the state labor commissioner set up meetings with trade unions, contractors, chamber of commerce groups and educators, among others. The coalition began meeting frequently near the end of 2009 and have expanded and remained a unified front in the push to expand high school career and technical training.
Two years later, those groups helped pass legislation creating the CTE Revitalization Grant fund. The Oregon Department of Education helps manage the grants, which have funneled about $13 million to schools across the state. Additional funds support student leadership organizations.
"What we found was that these very diverse groups, that don't always walk into the capital holding hands together, were all exactly on the same page with this being a top priority for public education in Oregon," Avakian said. "That was an unbeatable combination."
A bill to refill the grants is making its way through the legislature.
Since the creation of the grant program, funding has been spread to all corners of the state to support traditional trade programs and advanced science, technology, engineering and math classes. Some grants have created new courses and others have expanded or updated existing offerings, all with the goal of creating programs that become permanent. Grant funded programs must include a community partnership, whether that's with a community college, business or other group.
"It's an opportunity for them to have a real, legitimate connection with the students," said Laura Roach, ODE director of secondary and post-secondary transitions, and "students get a chance to explore their industry. It has a lot of potential beyond just informing the curriculum and contributing resources."
Now that the state is emerging from the recession, when unemployment climbed to 12 percent in 2009, some employers say they are having a hard time finding qualified applicants to fill skilled jobs.
Educators, legislators, labor and industry leaders have all taken notice.
Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian.
"Oregon was really failing its businesses by not creating opportunities for young people to find a pathway and get the skills that are needed by industry sectors here," Avakian said, adding that career education also broadens a student's perspective.
Looking ahead, industry leaders are turning to young adults. A workplace study by Portland-based Worksystems projects that within the next seven years, manufacturing careers will grow 19 percent, health by 28 percent, and IT/Software fields by 32 percent.
Employers will also be replacing skilled workers nearing retirement, in addition to filling new jobs. Most carpenters, cement masons and plumbers are now in their late 40s or early 50s, Avakian said. Maureen Fallt, who works in Portland General Electric talent management, said the company needs employees in multiple fields, from line workers and dispatchers to drafters and surveyors.
Oregon government and business leaders want to see those jobs go to Oregonians.
According to Kyle Ritchey-Noll, executive director of Oregon Learns, an Oregon Business Council initiative, many of Oregon's technical jobs have been filled by people from out of state or left vacant.
Ritchey-Noll is working with an Oregon employer coalition, which set a goal to double the number of people earning career, technical or science, technology, engineering and math, related degrees or certificates within 10 years.
"A group of employers came together and were really concerned, as they remain concerned, about them having a sufficient number of students with the skills and degrees in the STEM-related disciplines to fill these openings," she said. "There weren't enough Oregonians who had that skill set."
Although career exploration might be fostered in the classroom, it's just as important for students to make connections outside of school. That's where nonprofit Portland Workforce Alliance steps in, according to Executive Director Kevin Jeans Gail. Portland Workforce Alliance creates career experiences for students from offering tours of businesses to hosting career days and camps.
"Our mission is to be more like a bridge between the classroom and the workplace," he said, adding that education alone doesn't have the means to fully teach students about different careers.
The alliance's Northwest Youth Careers Expo, attended by more than 6,000 students, turned the Oregon Convention Center into a bustling hive of exploration this year. More than 100 employers set up exhibits where students could learn about a variety of careers.
"It kind of gives you a general scope of what jobs are out there," said Grant High School sophomore Shane Bryan, who had stopped at PGE station to try out a line working demonstration. "You get a good idea."
Scott Munger, director of human resources for Gunderson LLC, a marine and rail heavy manufacturing company, talked with students at an expo booth while others tried out a welding station. Munger said it's imperative to introduce students to the company and career options. Gunderson had about 485 employees in July of 2013, and could have up to 1,450 this summer, he said.
Gunderson has reached out to several high schools within a 50-mile radius of the Northwest Portland facility to offer training opportunities and jobs, Munger said.
"We knew that we needed to partner with high schools," he said. "It gives the kids hope and some direction. They have a way to make a living."
--Laura Frazier
lfrazier@oregonian.com
503-294-4035
@frazier_laura