Redmond Rural Training Project

 

Given the significant demand for diverse, skilled, and qualified construction workers in the area to meet industry labor demands, Oregon Tradeswomen piloted our apprenticeship – readiness-training program, Trades and Apprenticeship Career Class (TACC) in Redmond, Oregon in September 2019.  The pilot training was made possible by generous support from our union trades partners who provided critical support to make the class in Redmond a reality.  From holding mock interviews, to providing hands-on instruction, to hosting graduation at UA Local 290 – our industry partners were involved to ensure the pilot was successful.  Oregon Tradeswomen is grateful for their commitment to helping women gain access to great careers with good wages so they can support themselves and their families!

With financial support from North America’s Building Trades Unions in Washington, D.C. and local support from Robert Camarillo, Executive Secretary of the Oregon State Building and Construction Trades Council, Oregon Tradeswomen was able to work with regional industry and community partners in Central Oregon.  In turn, our partners in Central Oregon were critical in helping to recruit jobseekers and connect to local employers: Heather Fitch and East Cascades Workforce Board, Wendell Jim at the Warm Springs Tribal Employment Resource Office, Rena Gibney of the Oregon Department of Human Services Self-Sufficiency Programs and Joe Mizzolo of WorkSource Redmond and our many friends at Central Oregon Community College for all of their support as well. 

Thanks to our industry partners for lending their time, talent and support to this project:   

• UA Local 290
• NECA IBEW Electrical Training Center and IBEW Local 48
• NECA IBEW Central Training Center and IBEW Local 280
• Oregon Laborers Apprenticeship & Training
• Cement Masons Apprenticeship Local 555
• Ironworkers Apprenticeship Local 29
• Roofers Apprenticeship Local 49
• Pacific Northwest Carpenters Training Institute
• IUOE Local 701 Apprenticeship
• Oregon Bricklayers and Allied Crafts  

Oregon Tradeswomen also extends immense gratitude to our friend Dave Burger of UA Local 290.  Dave went above and beyond to ensure this pilot training in Redmond was successful.  He arrived early, stayed late, and offered tremendous support to our team as well as to jobseekers.  Dave connected program participants to one another for transportation, support, helped refer women to the program, cooked food for program participants and staff, and demonstrated what an industry partner committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion looks like. Oregon Tradeswomen is eternally grateful. 

 

Fifteen program participants completed the apprenticeship readiness training program and received a pre-apprenticeship training certificate from the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries, demonstrating their competencies and achievement in being prepared for registered apprenticeship and employment in the skilled trades.  Oregon Tradeswomen was honored to host Oregon’s Labor Commissioner Val Hoyle as our keynote speaker at the graduation ceremony.  Commissioner Hoyle’s service to the great state of Oregon, and her commitment to equity and justice, made us proud to have her speak to the graduates and their families.  

Congratulations to the TACC program graduates – we wish them all well on their journey forward!

• Wanda Berry
• Eva Brewer
• Kayla Burns
• Claudia (Paloma) Castro
• Laura (K.K) Crowe
• Audreanna (Audrey) De La Rosa
• Lianna Erwert
• Peggy Gilbert
• Susan Guerin
• Camille Hernandez
• Lara Martinez
• Damaris Monroy
• Kelli Moody
• Susan Mulkey
• Ryleigh Shiner
• Amelia Templeton