PORTLAND, Ore. - Last week, the Department of Labor announced competitive awards totaling $190 million for State Energy Sector Partnership and Training Grants under ARRA. Thirty-four grant awards ranging between $2 million and $6 million each were made to State Workforce Investment Boards in partnership with their State Workforce Agency, local Workforce Investment Boards or regional consortia of Boards, and One Stop Career Center delivery systems. Oregon Institute of Technology will receive $150,000 of the funds. For details, visit www.doleta.gov/pdf/SESP_Summaries.pdf.
OIT’s role will be to work in partnership with Worksystems, Inc., community colleges and industry partners, to develop internships inside Oregon’s energy companies, for its Electrical, Mechanical, and Renewable Energy Engineering students. Companies that have committed to provide innovative internship opportunities for students to enhance their work experience and employability are Portland General Electric, Vestas America, Solar World, and other smaller companies in the focus industries: Renewable Energy, Green Building Practices, Advanced Drive Train and Energy Efficient Vehicles, and Supply Chain Manufacturing.
“We are grateful to the Department of a Labor and Worksystems Inc. for supporting these critically needed, industry-based internships that will prepare highly skilled graduates for the energy industry. These internships are crucial for helping OIT fulfill our mission to provide hands-on educational experiences for our students,” said OIT President Chris Maples.
Oregon’s proposal, submitted through the Oregon Workforce Investment Board, received an award of $5,383,568. The resources will be used to implement the Greening of Oregon’s Workforce project to develop local networks that will deliver training in green occupations. The State’s Green Jobs Council will be responsible for implementing the green jobs strategy which is mandated by Oregon State law, and will link to other state efforts, such as the Networks of Excellence that are emerging around green industries. Training will prepare workers for occupations in energy efficiency and renewable energy industries, including occupations that have long-term demand, offer the potential for high wage, career pathway jobs, and support local sourcing and innovation. Program partners will develop new curricula, adapt existing curricula, and complete development of the Oregon Green Tech Certificate.
Statewide, the overall total grant resources will support approximately 1,039 participants who will earn a degree or certificate related to the targeted green industries, and approximately 811 participants will be placed into employment related to the training. Fifteen OIT students will be able to take advantage of the internship opportunity.
“There's never been a greater need for engineers who can address the challenge of the changing energy industry,” said Jaisen Mody, director of generation projects. “We are excited for OIT students to join PGE in helping to move our biomass and wind projects forward, and further explore smart grid and solar integration. This is a great opportunity to develop the energy leaders of tomorrow.”
For more information about OIT’s role in the proposal, contact Lita Colligan, Associate Vice President for Strategic Partnerships, 503-821-1247, lita.colligan@oitedu.
For more information about the Oregon Workforce Investment Board, contact Gregory White, 503-947-2451, greg.white@state.or.us.
For more information about Worksystems, Inc., contact Heather Ficht, (503) 478-7359, hficht@worksystems.org
