Oregon just passed legislation to use federal highway funds for pre-apprenticeship programs! This is just one option that states have to promote workforce diversity in the construction field.
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By Wendy Culverwell, Real Estate Daily editor
Portland Business Journal
The Oregon Department of Transportation will spend up to $2.1 million in federal funds on programs that help women and minorities prepare for the construction trades under a bill headed to Gov. John Kitzhaber.
Senate Bill 831A, which passed in the Senate on June 29 and the House on July 2, directs the state transportation agency to spend federal funds on pre-apprenticeship training programs to increase diversity in the state’s construction workforce.
Under the current law, ODOT is authorized to use federal highway funds to involve more women and minorities in workforce training programs.
The bill provides a 40 percent increase in funding for programs that serve women and minority groups.
“These additional funds will allow us to expand our programs to women in under-served parts of the state,” said Connie Ashbrook, executive director of Oregon Tradeswomen Inc.
The bill passed in the Senate with a 28-1 vote and in the House with a 54-1 vote.
The Oregon Department of Transportation will spend up to $2.1 million in federal funds on programs that help women and minorities prepare for the construction trades under a bill headed to Gov. John Kitzhaber.
Senate Bill 831A, which passed in the Senate on June 29 and the House on July 2, directs the state transportation agency to spend federal funds on pre-apprenticeship training programs to increase diversity in the state’s construction workforce.
Under the current law, ODOT is authorized to use federal highway funds to involve more women and minorities in workforce training programs.
The bill provides a 40 percent increase in funding for programs that serve women and minority groups.
“These additional funds will allow us to expand our programs to women in under-served parts of the state,” said Connie Ashbrook, executive director of Oregon Tradeswomen Inc.
The bill passed in the Senate with a 28-1 vote and in the House with a 54-1 vote.
View the original article at http://www.bizjournals.com/portland.
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