Educators from 17 Local School Districts and 15 Partner Program Staff Will Tour 28 Construction and Manufacturing Sites in Effort to Deconstruct Bias
Annual Industry for a Day Welcomes 250 School and Community Partners for Immersion in Pathways to the Trades
Portland, OR (05/14/19) – The Oregon Department of Education projects that over the next 10 years, more than 13,000 new construction and manufacturing jobs will be created across Washington, Multnomah and Clackamas counties, with another 71,000 openings due to retirements. Yet the path to those careers is not always clear and our local career-technical education programs have not recovered from past cuts, resulting in a weak pipeline to fill these jobs. Add to this deeply rooted bias that supports a “college only” mentality, stereotypes about the trades and a general lack of awareness—all of which result in the limitation of students’ exposure to family-wage career paths in construction and manufacturing.
The All Hands Raised Partnership is working across the community to build a system to strengthen the pipeline necessary to ensure a strong regional economy. One of the strategies to address the lack of awareness, primarily by local educators, of opportunities for young people in construction and manufacturing is Industry for a Day (IFAD) presented by Bank of America. In its fourth year, IFAD is an opportunity for those who work closely with, and mentor, our youth to learn first-hand about the ‘on ramps” to jobs in local construction and manufacturing companies, apprenticeships and programs.
Reynolds High School teacher Erich Schneider said of IFAD, “As a CTE teacher it was gratifying to have my peers get out into the field with me to hear the messages we know to be true—get kids into CTE programs early and ensure resources are in place for students who are interested in the trades. As a result we can work more closely together to provide stronger pathways for our students who are interested in these living-wage jobs.”
Of the “sold out” attendance of 250, many are teachers, counselors and administrators from 40 schools representing 17 districts. Those districts are the seven core districts in the All Hands Raised Partnership: Centennial, David Douglas, Gresham-Barlow, Multnomah Education Service District, Parkrose, Portland Public and Reynolds; plus the following districts: Beaverton, Corbett, Forest Grove, Gladstone, Hillsboro, Molalla, North Clackamas, Oregon Trail, Washougal and Willamette Education Service District. In addition, coaches, mentors and program staff from 15 partner organizations will attend: Boys & Girls Club of Portland, Camp Fire Columbia, East County Rising, Friends of the Children, Home Forward, Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO), IRCO Africa House, Latino Network, Metropolitan Family Service, Native American Youth & Family Center, New Avenues for Youth, Portland Community College, REAP, Together We Are Greater Than and Vocational Rehabilitation.
Participants will visit two sites to get first-hand experience with the work, and learn about opportunities and pathways to those living-wage jobs. Twenty-eight companies are hosting tours, including Greenbrier Gunderson, O’Neill Construction Group, PCC Airfoils, Portland General Electric, Skanska and Vigor. A full list is below.
IFAD is collaboration between AGC-Oregon Columbia Chapter, All Hands Raised, East Metro STEAM Partnership, Impact NW, Mt. Hood Community College, Oregon Tradeswoman, Portland Metro STEM Partnership, Portland Workforce Alliance and Worksystems, Inc.
Bank of America is presenting sponsor of IFAD. In 2018 Bank of America awarded All Hands Raised its Neighborhood Builder Award to support the efforts to ensure access to and awareness of jobs in construction and manufacturing by local students.
“Bank of America is committed to strengthening our local economy, so we are privileged to be the presenting sponsor of Industry for a Day, said Bank of America Market President Roger Hinshaw. “Specifically, our investment in All Hands Raised through the Neighborhood Builder Award will ensure more young people have access to living-wage careers in growing industries that are often overlooked.”
Schedule:
8:00-9:15am Opening Program including a hosted breakfast at Pacific Northwest Regional Carpenters Institute (4222 NE 158th Ave, Portland, OR 97230)
10:00am-12:30pm Tour One with hosted lunch (Location to be assigned)
1:00-3:30pm Tour Two with debrief (Location to be assigned)
Members of the media interested in attending any part of IFAD, must reach out no later than Tuesday at 4:00pm as many of the host sites have strict regulations around guests and photography.
Contact: Jeanie-Marie Price, jeanie-marie@allhandsraised.org, 503-234-5404 (o), 971-207-9269 (c)
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As a direct result of the Neighborhood Builder Award, All Hands Raised has deepened its work to strengthen pathways to construction & manufacturing careers in partnership with five area high schools. After three years of focused effort, this work resulted in measurable success and enthusiastic support from students, educators and local employers.
About All Hands Raised: All Hands Raised (AHR) is an independent community-impact organization that mobilizes support to ensure every child in Multnomah County achieves their full potential. As the backbone organization for the All Hands Raised Partnership, AHR delivers direct support that empowers educational outcomes for the more than 220,000 children, youth and young adults living in Multnomah County, from birth to career. With an acute focus on racial educational equity, we bring together partners throughout the community to improve the following focus areas: Disproportionate Discipline, Kindergarten Transition, K-12 Attendance, Ninth Grade Transition, Post-Secondary Access, Post-Secondary Completion and Pathways to Construction & Manufacturing Careers. This work is focused on getting youth to and through graduation with the ultimate goal of being connected to a career and on the path to a successful life. Learn more at www.allhandsraised.org and connect with us on Twitter @AllHandsRaised.
About Bank of America’s Neighborhood Builders Program: Since its inception in 2004, Bank of America’s Neighborhood Builders program has helped nonprofits create greater impact in their communities and better prepare for the future by providing the tools and resources they need to develop stronger strategic plans, chart a succession strategy, navigate through tough economic times, and enhance their funding opportunities. Since the program’s beginning 14 years ago, Bank of America has invested more than $220 million in nearly 1,000 nonprofits and 2,000 leaders across 45 U.S. communities, including Portland — and the program has been recognized as the nation’s largest philanthropic investment in nonprofit leadership development. Neighborhood Builders is a demonstration of the bank’s work to address issues fundamental to economic mobility in order to build thriving communities and illustrates how strong cross-sector partnerships and local community leaders can play a meaningful role in positioning communities for success. Learn more at www.bankofamerica.com/about and connect with us on Twitter at @BofA_News.
2019 Industry for Day Hosts
Andersen Construction Company
Boeing Portland
Greenbrier Gunderson, LLC
GrovTec US, Inc.
Madden Fabrication
Mt. Hood Community College
Microchip Technology Inc.
NECA-IBEW Electrical Training Center
Northwest College of Construction
Nu-Tech Machining, Inc.
ON Semiconductor
O’Neill Construction Group
Oregon & SW Washington Mason Trades JATC
Oregon Laborer’s Apprenticeship, LiUNA! Local 737
Owens Corning
Pacific Northwest Carpenters Institute
Pacific Northwest Ironworkers Local #29 Training Center
PCC Airfoils, LLC
Pella Corporation – Portland Operations
PepsiCo
Portland Community College: Swan Island Trades Center
Portland General Electric
Sheet Metal Institute,
Skanska USA Building
Stack Metallurgical Group
Streimer Sheet Metal
Temp-Control Mechanical (TCM Corp)
Vigor
