Workforce Development Resources

The mechatronics program at Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) offers students and incumbent workers coursework in the growing field of industrial automation and maintenance.

• Students in this program will receive industry-recognized credentials in robotics, programmable logic controllers and the skills required to enter the field of automation as a service technician.
• The program is designed to allow students to both work and attend school. 

Engagement opportunities

Support and encourage your employees to enroll in the MHCC mechatronics/certificate programs to build their skills in:

• Pneumatics
• Hydraulics
• Welding
• Industrial safety
• Specific curriculums are offered for:
  • Certified maintenance technicians
  • Industrial automation 

Contact

Todd Saunders, Faculty Advisor 
503-491-7034
todd.saunders@mhcc.edu

Website: mhcc.edu/mechatronics

Other MHCC metals/welding certificate programs

These MHCC certificate programs train students in highly specialized skills that prepare them to enter or advance in a variety of careers related to manufacturing, fabrication and repair of metal products.

• Machinist
• VESL accelerated welding technology
• Gas metal and flux cored arc welder
• Machine tool technology
• Integrated metals
• Shielded metal arc welder 

Contact

Industrial Technology Office
503-491-7470

Website: mhcc.edu/MachineToolTechnology

A business may need customized training to build specific skills for its workforce. Mt. Hood Community College’s customized training team can assess an employer’s needs and deliver innovative, on-site training solutions.

Customized training examples

• Workplace ESL to improve safety and workflow across 18 languages.
• Blueprint reading to provide staff a basic understanding and create a path for advancement from assembly to machine operator positions.
• Software training in Microsoft Excel and Outlook to improve communication and data sharing among teams. 

Engagement opportunities

Work directly with a Workforce Training Coordinator to develop a customized training approach that meets the needs of your business.

Contact

Aaron Sorenson, Business and Industry Workforce Training Coordinator
503-491-7496
aaron.sorenson@mhcc.edu

Website: mhcc.edu/WorkforceTraining

Registered apprenticeships, where employees train under the direction of experienced subject matter experts (called journey workers), are one way businesses can prepare for the shifting demographics of the workforce.

• Apprenticeship programs foster loyalty, replenish your skilled workforce and can make your company more productive.
• Apprenticeship is an effective solution in any occupation that involves a progressive attainment of skills and knowledge in order to meet an industry standard. 

Engagement opportunities

• Design a customized apprenticeship program – steps to participate:
  1. Contact the Bureau of Labor and Industries – Apprenticeship and Training Division.
  2. Develop an apprenticeship program.
  3. Become approved to train apprentices.
  4. Grow your skilled workforce through apprenticeship. 
• Join an established apprenticeship program.

If you are an employer in the information technology or manufacturing industry, there may be grant funds available to help cover tuition costs for your apprentices. 

Contact

Shaun Engstrom, Apprenticeship Program Liaison
503-931-5379
shaun.c.engstrom@oregon.gov

Website: oregonapprenticeship.org/business

The Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership (OMEP) works side-by-side with Oregon manufacturers to build successful businesses. OMEP’s team has significant depth and breadth of real-world manufacturing experience bringing a thoughtful problem-solving approach to eliminating obstacles companies face.

Engagement opportunities

Addresses the workforce challenges of the manufacturing industry in Oregon by helping companies build systems to:

1. Attract talent
2. Engage employees
3. Enhance training and development capabilities

Contact

Mike Vanier, Vice President of Client Engagement
503-406-3774
mvanier@omep.org

Paola Castaldo, Managing Consultant
503-313-9694
pcastaldo@omep.org

Website: omep.org/workforce-solutions

Portland Community College (PCC) offers a wide variety of resources to employers to assist with training existing employees and building future workforce pipelines.

Engagement opportunities

• Panther Works: Work-based learning opportunities, such as on-the-job training, apprenticeships and internships.
• Refer existing or potential candidates to college program.
• Customized training programs are available for existing employees.

Contact

Jennifer Piper, Dean of Business, Community and Workforce Development Pathway
971-722-6232
jennifer.piper1@pcc.edu

Website: pcc.edu/workforce-development/metro

Abilities at Work is a metro-area, nonprofit organization partnering with businesses to find sustainable and fulfilling employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities.

Job coaches and vocational trainers provide free workforce assessments to employers to help identify suitable employment opportunities, then train and perform job tasks along with the client until the client is on-boarded.

Engagement opportunities

• Find candidates through job placement and job carving services.
• Qualify for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, which is 40% of the first $6,000 a candidate earns.
• Provide mock interviews. 

Contact

Tony Green
503-641-5820
anthonyg@abilitiesatwork.org

Website: abilitiesatwork.org

The Community Works Project is a collaborative effort between culturally specific community organizations to empower job seekers on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) through skills development, resources and job leads.

The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) leads the collaboration, which includes El Programa Hispano, Human Solutions, Native American Youth and Family Center, Self Enhancement Inc., and Urban League of Portland. 

Engagement opportunities

• Post open positions.
• Participate in hiring events.
• Connect with volunteers and subsidized trainees.

Contact

Semi P. Saulo
971-501-0782
ssaulo@communityworksnw.org

Website: communityworksnw.org/employers

Goodwill Job Connections maintains a large employee database to match your needs to the goals and skill of individuals seeking employment.

Engagement opportunities

• Promote your business.
• Find qualified candidates.
• Review and assess candidate skills.
• Host free job fairs and promote open positions with your company.
• Veteran-focused programs.

Contact

Paul Langdon, Job Connections Senior Program Manager
503-238-6175
plangdon@gicw.org

Website: goodwilljobconnection.org

Our Just Future operates three distinct employment and economic development programs that help 890 individuals with significant barriers to employment find family wage jobs and/or improve their job skills to increase their household incomes each year.

Engagement opportunities

• Pre-screening and matching applicants to your specifications, maximizing your recruiting efforts.
• Working collaboratively with newly-hired workers and business to ensure workforce retention and employee success.
• Providing financial assistance to help you off set your new hire training costs, allowing you to focus on your bottom-line productivity.
• Collaboratively creating a learning environment to bridge the gap between classroom and workplace.

Contact

503-548-0200
employmentreferral@ourjustfuture.org

Website: ourjustfuture.org

Impact NW's Manufacturing pre-apprenticeship program is geared toward individuals age 18-26 with a vested interest in pursuing a manufacturing career.

• Participants gain relevant, industry-specific technical knowledge with 3D printers, mini CNC machines, band saws, belt grinders, calipers, laser engravers, forklifts and drill presses.
• Participants also gain employability skills in communication, punctuality, problem solving and collaboration. 
• Successful graduates will have an opportunity for a paid internship. 

Impact NW is invested in helping thriving students procure direct employment with a local manufacturing company to create a healthy, competitive regional workforce and connect proactive young men and women to living wage occupations. 

Engagement opportunities

• Be a business partner.
• Host an apprentice at your business. 

Contact

Destiny Bucasas
808-342-0418
dbucasas@impactnw.org

Website: impactnw.org/programs/youthfamily/urban-opportunities

The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization’s (IRCO’s) Workforce Development Department provides participants with on-ramps to career pathways through guided skills assessment, career planning and resource planning toward long-term career goals and short term paid youth internships or direct hire.

As a community-based organization, IRCO empowers children, youth, families and elders from around the world to build new lives and become self-sufficient by providing more than 200 culturally and linguistically specific social services. 

Engagement opportunities

• Post open positions.
• Volunteer to tutor or assist participants with job readiness skills and activities.
• Host a job shadow activity, internship placement for youth, or other employer event.
• Join the We Hire Refugees business-led initiative to commit to providing employment opportunities to refugees and immigrants. 

Contact

Youth internships, job shadows, volunteering or direct hire: 

Heather Thompson
503-740-5006
heathert@irco.org

Posting open positions: employmentservices@irco.org

Website: irco.org/what-we-do/employment

Mt. Hood Community College offers workforce recruitment services and resources including opportunities for employers to participate in career fairs throughout the year at their various locations.

Engagement opportunities

• Register or sponsor a career fair to recruit for part-time or full-time employees.
• Post positions on job boards.
• Schedule a recruitment session. 

Contact

Jennifer McNeil, Coordinator
jennifer.mcneil@mhcc.edu

Website: mhcc.edu/employers

Opportunity Oregon provides pre-screened, qualified candidates to employers in Oregon, statewide. They cover just about every industry. These employees are maintaining more than an 80% retention rate with their employer clients.

Hiring this untapped pool of talent boosts the economy, creates safer communities and helps reduce criminal relapse.

Benefits to employers

We’ve included just a few of the countless benefits from hiring our recruits.

• Higher retention rates.
• More loyalty and gratitude.
• Tax kickbacks for employers.
• Up to $9,600 per employee!
• No cost $5,000 federal bonding program. 

Benefits to recruits

• All services provided are at no cost to the employees.
• Includes classes, resume and cover letter preparation, mentorship and continued support.

Contact

Office: 541-844-1817
Cell: 541-390-8841
info@opport-unity.org

Website: www.opport-unity.org

Oregon Tradeswomen Inc. (OTW) provides career education, apprenticeship readiness training for women and girls seeking career pathways in the skilled trades.

• Founded in 1989, OTW strives to provide women with access, opportunities and equity in the construction, environmental remediation and transportation industries as these careers are high-wage, high-skilled pathways to prosperity.
• OTW’s team provides supportive services, case management, job coaching and placement, and retention services to women who participate in the free, eight-week apprenticeship readiness Trades and Apprenticeship Career Class (TACC), offered quarterly. 

Engagement opportunities

• Read more about OTW programs.
• Schedule a career education session.

Contact

Nami Bigos, Development Director
503-335-8200, ext. 128
nami@oregontradeswomen.net

Website: oregontradeswomen.org

Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center, Inc. (POIC) is a nonprofit organization established in 1968 in North Portland, serving over 700 students and work trainees annually across three programs: Rosemary Anderson High School, Rosemary Anderson Transitions, and Work Opportunities Training.

Through the SOAR program, employment specialists work with individuals ages 18-24 coming out of incarceration to find career development opportunities. SOAR is a Department of Labor grant supported program. 

Engagement opportunities

Engage with SOAR employment specialists to provide career opportunities to justice-involved individuals and make a successful transition back to the community by helping them become productive, responsible and law-abiding citizens. 

Contact

SOAR Program
Yaisha Lavine, SOAR Program Manager
971-940-0123
soar@portlandoic.org

Website: portlandoic.org

The Rosewood Initiative is a nonprofit community-based organization that has been implementing neighbor-led strategies since 2009. The Rosewood community center provides space for people to gather, connect to resources, celebrate and work on projects that improve their lives and the community.

Engagement opportunities

• Attend job fairs.
• Engage with neighborhood navigator to connect employers with job seekers. 

Contact

Sandra Siordia, Career Coach/Navigator 
WorksSource Portland Metro Gresham
503-660-1459
971-293-8570 (cell)
sandra.siorda@mhcc.edu

Website: rosewoodinitiative.org

The SE Work’s Prisoner Reentry Employment Program’s (PREP) objective is to assist formerly incarcerated individuals to gain and maintain long term employment utilizing a person first workforce development approach.

Engagement opportunities

• Career coaches work individually with participants to develop an individualized employment plan, provide job retention strategies and placement support to help maintain a long-term, career track employment partnership.
• Career coaches conduct outreach to employers and provide job leads that lead to living wage employment. 

Contact

Elaina Close, Director for Adult and Youth Reentry Programs
503-972-3241
EClose@seworks.org

Website: seworks.org

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and the Oregon Commission for the Blind (OCB) partner together to provide inclusion guidance, recruitment support and disability awareness training for Oregon Businesses. Services include:

• Connects businesses with skilled talent to address workforce needs.
• Offers businesses tips, tools, information, and resources to promote disability inclusion in the workplace.
• Provides training on cultivating and inclusive culture that attracts and retains diverse talent.
• Partners with businesses through professional networking opportunities to share successful strategies for disability in the workplace. 

Contact

Kim Alejo (VR)
503-856-2050
VR.EmploymentTeam@dhsoha.State.Or.US

Molly James (OCB)
541-527-9958
Business.Relations@OCB.Oregon.gov

WorkSource Portland Metro Gresham (WSPMG) serves East Multnomah County’s job seekers and employers. In addition to providing job seekers career coaching, training and job search assistance, WSPMG collaborates closely with employers and community-based organizations to align workforce services with business, industry, and community workforce needs.

Engagement opportunities

WSPMG is a one-stop resource for businesses to access qualified workers and valuable local workforce information. WSPMG provides many resources for businesses:

• Hosts job fairs and industry specific events.
• Hosts recruitment events.
• Provides interview space for employers.
• Makes qualified worker referrals.
• Conducts “meet the employer” events.
• Maintains expertise in job and industry growth patterns, economic information, wage information. 

Recruitment services

Recruitment is the primary activity WorkSource Oregon staff use to identify and place qualified job seekers with employers.

• Recruitment involves attracting, selecting, preparing and referring suitable candidates to one or more jobs specific to an employer’s needs.
• WorkSource Oregon (WSO) staff conducting recruitment services work closely with WSPMG staff to provide skills validation, training, and career coaching to build the appropriate talent pool for the position(s) being recruited. 

Contact: 503-257-HIRE (4473)

Regional Business Services (RBS)

RBS representatives work with employers directly to assess their hiring and training needs to fill positions in their organizations. RBS staff develop comprehensive knowledge on regional industries and share labor needs and trends with employers in a given industry. 

Contact: Steve Strain, steven.d.strain@oregon.gov or 971-235-6289 

Job listings

WorkSource Oregon posts vacant positions in the local labor exchange system for employers. Jobs may be entered via automated mechanisms, self-service features, or staff-assisted services. 

Contact: 503-257-HIRE (4473) 

Website: worksourceportlandmetro.org

Industry for a Day (IFAD) is a unique opportunity for educators and partners to immerse themselves in local construction and manufacturing industries. The goal of the event is to help those who mentor and guide youth to develop a deeper understanding of the opportunities that exist for young people in the trades.

Engagement opportunity

Host educators at your facility for an Industry for a Day event. 

Contact

Jeanine Fukuda, Vice President, Impact & Improvement
503-234-5404
jeanine@allhandsraised.org

Amber Klingner, Associate Director, Partnership & Data Management
503-234-5404
amber@allhandsraised.org 

Website: allhandsraised.org

The Center for Advanced Learning (CAL), a charter school in Gresham, provides opportunities for local industries to engage with student. Share industry specific expertise with CAL students, increase student exposure to work-based experiences and help shape the future of industry.

Engagement opportunities

Short term

• Co-host a field trip at your business or at an industry facility.
• Give a business presentation.
• Become an advisor: project advisor, drop-in mentor. 

Long term

• Curriculum development.
• Work directly with teachers.
• Develop and improve course material.
• Recommend project learning experiences.
• Worksite learning: host internships, externships, job shadows. 

Contact

Jessica Gallagher, Director
503-667-4978
gallagher15@calcharter.org 

Website: calcharter.org

Emerging Leaders (EL) is dedicated to improving racial and cultural diversity at the leadership level in Portland-area companies by providing pathways to leadership for traditional and non-traditional students of color and aspiring professionals. EL connects the region's most talented students of color with paid internships at some of the Portland area's most exciting, innovative companies.

Engagement opportunities

• Host an intern.
• Be a mentor.
  • Length: Most mentoring relationships last 6-12 months
  • Time commitment: 1-2 hours per month
  • Training: Mentors and mentees receive training before the mentoring relationship begins
  • Cost: No cost to participants (the program is sponsored by WorkSystems and Portland Leadership Foundation) 

Contact

Website: emergingleaderspdx.org/companies

Impact NW's Pathways to Manufacturing program works with Portland-area high schools and industry partners to create pathways to high wage careers in advanced manufacturing and skilled trades for high school students.

• Students learn detailed information about apprenticeship, trades, Portland-area companies and community colleges.
• Students also gain soft skills needed to help obtain and keep high wage positions on a career track. 

Engagement opportunities

Sign up to be a business partner. 

Contact

Destiny Bucasas
808-342-0418
dbucasas@impactnw.org

Website: impactnw.org/programs/youthfamily/urban-opportunities/pathways-to-manufacturing

In4All programs bring educators and business professionals together to create learning experiences that impact students at critical times in their K-12 education. All programs are informed by research, tied to educational standards, and measured through formal evaluation to ensure the organization is making a difference for students who have been historically under-served in Oregon.

Engagement opportunities

• Become a business partner to have your employees volunteer in either a 4th, 5th or 8th grade classroom.
• Provide work-based learning opportunities/experiences for high school aged student.
• Participate in a team builder day. 

Contact

Tavares Hubbard, East PDX Program Manager 
503-646-0242
thubbard@in4all.org

Website: in4all.org

There are a wide array of ways for employers to engage with Gresham-area K-12 school districts.

Engagement opportunities

• Guest speaker opportunities: one-off engagements with schools
• Hosting: internships, pre-apprenticeships, job shadows, career linked learning events
• Industry/educator exchange: co-facilitated learning opportunities, curriculum development
• Industry mentors: one-on-one mentorships with students

Contact

Centennial School District

Kristina Dowell, Youth Transition Specialist
kristina_dowell@csd28j.org
503-539-2279

Dar Myers, Graduation Coach
Dar_myers@csd28j.org
503-762-7346

Mike Henderson, School to Career Specialist
Mike_henderson@csd28j.org
503-762-6180 x5574

Gresham Barlow School District

Carla Gay, Executive Director of Innovation and Partnerships
gay@gresham.k12.or.us
503-261-4551 

Reynolds School District

Donna Servignat, Director of Secondary Teaching and Learning 
Reynolds School District
dservignat@rsd7.net
(503) 661-7200 x3716

All Career Technical Education (CTE) programs in Oregon engage an advisory board to assist in structuring the programming for CTE classes to ensure curriculums will help to meet the future workforce needs of local employers and that programs are meeting industry standards.

Engagement opportunities

Participate on a CTE advisory board:

• Contribute your industry knowledge to CTE programs.
• Help with curriculum development at the K-12 level to ensure programs align with community college programs to create a pipeline of future skilled employees.
• Provide internship or externships to students. 

Contact

Kealani Balfour, Director High School Services
503-491-6989
kealani.balfour@mhcc.edu

Website: mhcc.edu/employers

Oregon Connections is a web-based tool connecting educators to industry professionals who share their skills and bring real world learning opportunities to students. Through in-person matches and virtual real-time sessions, industry professionals connect with classrooms to inspire and expose students to real-world opportunities.

Engagement opportunities

• Share your skills with classrooms in your community.
• Demonstrate leadership skills by mentoring student.
• Develop a pipeline of students interested in your career field.
• Boost your professional profile through education.
• Create a culture of volunteering among your co-worker.
• Connect with students for an interactive, fun, and rewarding experience. 

Contact

Sign up for an Oregon Connections account.

The Portland Workforce Alliance (PWA) is an independent nonprofit that sees young people as the key to our region’s long-term economic prosperity and quality of life. PWA works with local employers to educate students about career opportunities as part of a strategy to boost Oregon’s graduation rate and build a resilient, prosperous and well-educated workforce.

Engagement opportunities

• Exhibit at the NW Youth Careers Expo.
• Host a career day or facility tour.
• Mentor through the ACE Mentor Program.
• Offer customized job shadows.

Contact

Susan Nielsen, Executive Director
503-577-6177
susan@portlandworkforcealliance.org

Website: portlandworkforcealliance.org

Portland Opportunity Industrialization Center (POIC) offers a Construction Pre-Apprenticeship program to young adults ages 18-24.

• The 12-week paid program is designed to prepare young adults for careers in construction and the trades.
• This program exposes trainees to hands-on learning, classroom instruction, industry recognized certifications, career exploration and planning.
• The POIC Construction Pre-Apprenticeship Program is a Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) certified course of study and the curriculum is recognized by the Oregon State Apprenticeship and Training Council (OSATC). 

Engagement opportunities

• Partner with POIC to support their pre-apprenticeship program to help young adults explore careers in the construction industry and the trades.
• Help to show young people how a multitude of trades can be applied to a wide range of industries and career opportunities.

Contact

Charles Manigo, Pre-Apprenticeship Program Coordinator
971-940-6437
construction@portlandoic.org

Website: portlandoic.org

Saturday Academy strives to engage all motivated young people, including those from underrepresented communities, in hands-on, in-depth learning by connecting them to community experts as educators and mentors.

Saturday Academy’s vision is that all interested, pre-college students in our region will have the opportunity to interact with community experts and experience professional environments in ways that assist them in developing intellectually and preparing for rewarding careers. 

Engagement opportunities

• Be a mentor.
• Host an intern.
• Teach a class or at a camp.
• Participate in programs:
  • Apprenticeships in science and engineering
  • Girls engage technology
  • Classes and camps 

Contact

Libby Van Vleet, ASE Program Director
503-200-5860
libby@saturdayacademy.org

Website: saturdayacademy.org

Springdale Job Corps is a no-cost education and career technical training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor that helps young people ages 16-24 improve the quality of their lives through career technical and academic training.

Training programs include

• Office administration
• Security
• Programs focused on auto-related industries 

Engagement opportunities

Connect youth to careers by hosting an intern at your business. 

Contact

Tyna Moreschi, Center Director
503-695-3101
moreschi.tyna@jobcorps.org 

Website: springdale.jobcorps.gov

SummerWorks is a locally funded public/private partnership that supports youth through their first work experience. The program is sponsored by Worksystems, City of Portland, Multnomah County, Washington County, City of Beaverton, TriMet, Portland Public Schools, Hillsboro School District, and private businesses that provides area youth ages 16-24 with enriching and constructive summer work experiences in the private, not-for-profit and government sectors.

Engagement opportunities

Host a SummerWorks intern

An employer sponsorship covers all the wages and other employment costs for a 180-hour work experience for a youth. Worksystems funds work readiness training for all youth participants and pays all the costs associated with screening and matching youth to job sites, job coaching throughout the work experience, and employer-of-record services. Youth show up ready to do real work.

Contact

503-478-7378
help@summerworkspdx.org

Website: worksystemslaunch.org/summerworkspdx

Our three area community colleges offer web pages that provide directions for employers who want to post positions on job boards, register for or sponsor a career fair, schedule a recruitment session and more.

Clackamas Community College Employer Services

Mt. Hood Community College Employers

Portland Community College Hire a Partner

Easterseals Oregon provides services to ensure children and adults living with autism, other disabilities or special needs (and their families) have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play in their communities.

Engagement opportunities

Post open positions through the Easterseals employment and training program.

Contact

503-228-5108

El Program Hispano Catolico provides a wide range of services to Gresham area residents including employment placement services. The organization publishes a weekly job list with current job openings.

Engagement opportunities

Post entry-level job openings.

Contact

Dr. A Susan Abernethy, Director of Development 
503-328-2715
communications@elprograma.org

The Urban League of Portland’s workforce programs provide quality career training and employment opportunities for individuals to further professional, educational and personal development.

Engagement opportunity

• Post open positions or sign up for a job fair through the Urban League of Portland.
• Participate in the annual Career Connections job fair. 

Contact

503-280-2600, ext. 607
WorkforceDept@ulpdx.org

Website: ulpdx.org/programs/workforce