ODOT-Boli

Build Your Future. Build Oregon – Apprentice Guidance and Evaluation Services

Women and minority pre-apprenticeship graduates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Eligibility

Applicants referred by a Workforce Representative or a Highway-related Apprenticeship Trade Representative are eligible for services under the Build Your Future. Build Oregon Program. Eligible applicants include:

• Graduates of an OSATC (Oregon State Apprenticeship Training Council) approved pre-apprenticeship program
• Qualified applicants from a Local Joint Committee for carpenters, cement masons, ironworkers, laborers, and operating engineers in all five ODOT regions

Services Provided

Build Oregon Apprenticeship Guidance and Evaluation Services include:

Orientation and Career Counseling

• Screening for qualifications in the five highway trades: carpenter, cement mason, ironworker, laborer, and operating engineer
• Assistance with apprenticeship applications

Case Management

• Complete the Intake and Minimum Qualifications Application (provided to you)
• Submit via fax (503.253.5412) or email to Akana Heavy Highway Program
• After submission, your Case Manager will contact you to schedule an interview and guide you toward your career goals

Job Readiness Guidance

• Connect qualified applicants with survival or gateway jobs to improve readiness for apprenticeship training

Preparation and Support

• Interview preparation for contractors and employers
• Apprenticeship paperwork assistance
• Guidance for layoffs and job changes

Checklists and Resources

• Tools of the trade
• Work clothing and boots
• Personal protective equipment

Financial Assistance

Qualified applicants who are expected to register within six months in a highway trade program and cannot accept a first job assignment without help may receive up to \$400 for:

• Specialized training (First Aid/CPR, HazMat, CDL, OSHA 10-hour, etc.)
• Tools of the trade not provided by union or employer
• Work-related clothing and boots (excluding street apparel)
• Vehicle repairs required to report to work

Additional Support

Instruction in skills that help new apprentices sustain themselves, especially during the first year of apprenticeship.

Next Steps

If you believe you qualify for Apprentice Guidance and Evaluation Services, ask your Highway-related Apprenticeship Trade Representative to contact:
Penny Painter, Akana
📞 503.253.5429

10 Ways to Research a Trade

1. Research at least three trades. This will give you an advantage if you need to adjust your plans after making a decision.
2. Check out the different trades by visiting these websites:
   • Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI), Apprenticeship and Training Division, Construction Trades
   • Oregon Apprenticeship Construction Trade Locator and Career Guide
   All state-recognized apprenticeship programs in Oregon are listed on the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) website.
3. Contact apprenticeship programs for the trades you are considering and ask if they have a website with information about their trade and the training they provide.
4. Contact local training centers for the trades you are considering and ask if they offer orientation sessions you can attend.
5. Talk to others about the trades you are considering—especially workers in those trades. Use an informational interview approach to stay organized and remember the questions you want to ask. (An informational interview is a list of questions you prepare about the trade before the conversation. We have sample questions available for you to use.)
6. Find books at the local library about the trades you are considering.
7. Identify volunteer opportunities related to construction work. Get hands-on experience. Try different activities to see what you really like. Habitat for Humanity or REACH Community Development are good options for this.
8. To find specific programs, the easiest method is to do an online search for your location. For example:
   Pre-Apprenticeship Programs in Oregon → Search
   Pre-Apprenticeship Programs in Southern Oregon → Search
9. Identify classes at a nearby community college that relate to the trades you are considering.
10. Identify an entry level position related to the trade you are considering, such as material handling or working in a supplies/parts shop.

Choose your trade based on what you truly enjoy doing.
Think about the type of work you are passionate about. Remember, you may spend years learning and then practicing your trade. This is an investment—both you and your future employers will be investing time, effort, and resources.
Make a well-informed decision.

The Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) are pleased to introduce their new initiative: “Build your future. Build Oregon. Opportunities in the Highway Construction Trades” (Build Oregon). The Build Oregon initiative is a statewide effort to recruit new workers and retain skilled workers in the construction trades, especially the highway construction trades.

Recent figures from the Oregon Employment Department predict significant growth in the construction industry over the next 10 years. Up to 15,000 new workers will be needed to fill construction jobs.

Build Oregon is an effort to fill these jobs. By enhancing recruitment and retention efforts, Build Oregon is directly improving career opportunities for Oregon residents and proactively addressing a severe shortage of skilled workers. Build Oregon will bring a range of services to communities across the state to assist current and aspiring heavy highway construction workers, including cement masons, heavy equipment operators (and allied trades), ironworkers, carpenters (and allied trades), and laborers.

Build Oregon Services Include:

• Support services for current apprentices: Providing critical support such as remedial training, basic skills training, and mentoring services to further develop apprentice skills and enhance career opportunities.
• Career counseling for aspiring apprentices: Assessing and addressing skill levels, building a job readiness plan, and creating a personal portfolio for a career in the heavy highway construction trades.
• Direct assistance to current apprentices: Helping apprentices meet basic expenses during training, such as transportation, travel, child care, and work attire and tools.

The Build Oregon initiative will complement local efforts to recruit and retain Oregon’s skilled construction workforce. Special efforts are being made to generate interest among underrepresented demographic groups, such as women and minorities, in these high-paying careers. We look forward to working with your community.

Future Projections

• Construction industry is projected to grow 10.2% from 2006 to 2016
• Construction Jobs with 15% (or greater) projected growth by 2016:    
• Telecom equipment installers & repair (39.4%)
• Sales representatives (21.6%)
• Cost Estimators  (19.5%)
• Welders, Cutters, Solderers, Brazers (17.6%)
• Construction Managers (16.5%)
• Roofers (16.4%)
• Constructions Jobs with projected decline by 2016 as a result of technological improvement:
• General & Operations Managers (-0.8%)
• Payroll/Timekeeping Clerks (-0.1%)
• Inventory Recording/Scheduling/Dispatch/Distributing  (-0.1%)
• Secretaries (-1.7%)

– Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics via NAWIC Fact Sheet

• The construction industry’s urgent need for skilled workers creates opportunities for women to enter the field. – Women Can Build

• The construction industry alone anticipates a 2 million employee shortage by 2016 as five workers reach retirement age for every one (5:1) employee entering the industry. – Brad Kane, Hartford Business.com

WAGE AND BENEFITS:

• Construction careers offer women high wages and great benefits. The best thing about the wages for a woman in construction is that there is no glass ceiling. Every qualified journeyperson is paid the same.  – Women Can Build
• A woman can expect to earn 20-30% more in a construction career than in a more traditional woman’s career. – Women Can Build

ARTICLES – Challenges Women Face and Success Stories on Women in Construction:

• Blog article: Good Pay, Interesting Work and Apprenticeships Draw Women to Skilled Trades

• Journal Article: Skilled Trades Are Tough To Crack; Women Fight to Gain Ground

Build Oregon may be able to assist current Oregon-registered apprentices meet basic expenses during training such as:

• Travel Assistance – If you are being dispatched and travel 60+ miles from home to the worksite, or if you are attending apprentice training 60+ miles from your home, you may qualify to be reimbursed for your mileage.
  
• Lodging / Meal Assistance – If you are being dispatched and travel 60+ miles and incur overnight costs to get to your worksite / training center, you may qualify to be reimbursed for these costs.
• Daycare Assistance – For your child(ren) under 12 years old.
• Mentoring / Advocacy Assistance – Free help is available for assistance with work-related issues.
• 1-on-1 Career Counseling with a Workforce Specialist.
• Basic Skills Development assistance.
• Tools / Work Gear of Personal Protective Equipment.

Pre-Apprentice Program

• The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provided $3 million to GSA for on-the-job pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship training programs registered with the Department of Labor. These programs support construction, repair, and alteration projects funded by the Act.
• Pre-apprenticeship programs include on-the-job training, classroom instruction, and work-life skills training in the construction industry.
• Two awards have been made: Oregon Trades Women, Inc. (Portland, Oregon), Community Services Agency of the Metro Washington Council AFL-CIO (Washington, D.C.)

– December 2009: AFL-CIP Program graduated 20 students 

– December 2009: OTW Program graduated 23 students

Source: Women Construction Owners and Executives’ American Recovery and Reinvestment Act presentation

BOLI-ODOT $’ s Opportunity

This is a great opportunity!

By attending this budget class, apprentices can increase their benefits in the BOLI-ODOT Support Services Program.

Examples:

If you currently receive childcare support, attending this class can increase your benefits by $1,000.
If you are a first-year apprentice and need assistance traveling more than 60 miles to perform your trade, attending this class will increase the funding available for travel support services.

In addition to financial benefits, this class offers a chance to network with other apprentices, learn about additional program benefits, and build connections that can support your career growth.

BOLI-ODOT Budget Class

June 13, 2015 at 9:00am 

Everyone must be on time! The building is locked on weekends. Everyone will be escorted in at the same time.

Location:  6400 SE Lake Road, 2^nd floor conference room

Please enter to the N. Parking lot, it has the entrance with no stairs to get in the building.

Space is limited, first come, first serve. Filling up Fast!

Please email or call Penny to reserve your seat.

Penny.painter@akana.us

📞Direct (503) 205-4769  or Cell (503) 278-6519

For more information regarding the program contact  penny.painter@akana.us or 📞call 503.652.9090.

Recent Events

June 13, 2015 at 9:00 AM – BOLI-ODOT Budget Class – Location:  Akana Office:  6400 SE Lake Road, Second Floor Conference Room, Portland OR  97222

Contact penny.painter@akana.us or call 503.652.9090 for more information regarding the program.

• October 15, 2012. Watch the BOLI-ODOT video, “Real Help for Working Oregonians.” Through supportive services contracts with Cooper Zietz Engineers and the Oregon-Southern Idaho Laborers Employers Training Trust, the BOLI-ODOT Heavy Highway Workforce Development Program provides financial support to apprentices to help them succeed. This program is a joint effort to promote a diverse and well-trained workforce for the heavy highway construction industry. The 8-minute video profiles several apprentices of differing trades whose lives and careers have been positively influenced by the BOLI-ODOT Highway Construction Workforce Development Program.
• June 6, 2011. Read BOLI Commissioner Brad Avakian’s Message, “Advancing Employment Opportunities for Oregon”. Topics include:
  • The Brad Tracker
  • Updated PWR Rates to Take Effect on July 1st
  • Avakian Wins Passage of Key Pro-Worker Legislation
  • Legislative Update: BOLI Bills still moving as session winds down
• March 22, 2011. BOLI Awards Final Major Contract Under Highway Workforce Development Program (.pdf) Agreement with ACE Academy rounds out comprehensive effort to remove barriers to employment, to diversify the workforce, and to keep Oregonians on the job.PORTLAND – Oregon’s Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) today announced that it has awarded the Academy for Architecture, Construction & Engineering (ACE Academy) the final major contract under the 2011 BOLI-ODOT Heavy Highway Workforce Development Program. This statewide program will provide $1 million to support services that increase diversity in the highway construction workforce and help Oregonians gain and keep high-skill, living-wage jobs. “Nothing is more important to Oregon’s economy than expanding job opportunities for Oregon’s workers, and that’s what this program is all about,” said BOLI Commissioner Brad Avakian. “I’m particularly excited about our efforts to provide students with early training in the highway trades, and our partnership with ACE will focus on knocking down barriers that have traditionally stood in the way of young women pursuing careers in the construction industry.” Pursuant to its agreement with the state, ACE Academy will receive $19,974 to provide students with two in-depth orientations to highway construction careers, one this month, and one in June. Participating students will receive one-on-one tutoring, career mentoring, and hands-on training with construction repair projects. Previous agreements announced under the BOLI-ODOT program include: a $633,265 contract with Cooper Zeitz to provide training and support services statewide; a $172,870 contract with the Oregon and Southern Idaho Laborers-Employers Training Trust to provide training and support services statewide; a $101,313 contract with Portland Community College to provide training and support in the Portland/METRO region; and a $69,458 contract withPortland Youthbuilders focused on youth pre-apprenticeship services in the Portland/METRO region. “Each of these contracts will play an important role in helping us develop a highly qualified construction workforce for the future,” said Oregon Department of Transportation Director Matt Garrett. “This program will open doors for Oregon workers, and it is a key part of our commitment to strengthen our transportation infrastructure and reinforce our economic foundation.” The mission of the Bureau of Labor and Industries is to protect employment rights, advance employment opportunities, and protect access to housing and public accommodations free from discrimination.
• March 11, 2011. The Statesman Journal publishes the article, “Program aims to up interest in apprenticeships“
• February 25, 2011. The Portland Business Journal publishes the article, “Labor bureau issues construction cash“: ”Oregon’s Bureau of Labor and Industries has doled out highway money to a contractor that’s helping newer construction trades workers find their way into the field.The bureau on Monday revealed that Portland-based Cooper Zietz Engineers, four of its subcontractors and Portland Youthbuilders will each collect part of $1 million available through the Heavy Highway Workforce Development Program. The program, in which BOLI participates with the Oregon Department of Transportation, will connect current and aspiring Oregon workers, especially women and people of color, with services that support employment in the highway construction trades. Cooper Zietz will work with Lois D. Cohen Associates, Oregon Tradeswomen, NECA-IBEW Electrical Training Center and Pacific Northwest Carpenters Institute on projects funded by the money. Cooper Zietz and its subcontractors will receive about $633,200. The money for the program comes from federal highway funds. BOLI will announce more contract awards soon.”
• February 22, 2011. BOLI Commissioner Brad Avakian’s Message discusses the BOLI-ODOT Heavy Highway Workforce Development Program. Read the full article here (pdf)
• February 14, 2011. BOLI Awards First Contracts to Reduce Barriers to Employment
  Program will help keep Oregonians on the job, recruit and retain women and people of colorPORTLAND – Oregon’s Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) announced today that Cooper Zietz Engineers, working with four subcontractors, and Portland Youthbuilders have each been awarded a portion of the $1 million available through the BOLI-ODOT Heavy Highway Workforce Development Program. The program will connect current and aspiring Oregon workers, especially women and people of color, with services that support employment in the highway construction trades. “This is priority one for BOLI: helping Oregonians to get and keep high-skill, living-wage jobs,” said State Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian, head of BOLI. “We are eager to see the impact of these services on recruitment and retention of women and people of color, helping them to overcome traditional barriers to good jobs and career pathways in construction.” “It is in the best interests of every Oregonian that we build a qualified workforce that can successfully compete in the state marketplace,” said Oregon Department of Transportation Director Matt Garrett. “The BOLI-ODOT Program will help us do that by removing barriers for people who want to enter the highway construction industry.” Cooper Zietz will work with Lois D Cohen Associates, Oregon Tradeswomen, NECA-IBEW Electrical Training Center and Pacific Northwest Carpenters Institute to provide information to students interested in the highway construction trades, prepare individuals to enter an apprenticeship program, and support apprentices who are starting their careers. The Cooper Zietz contract includes mentoring, travel assistance and child care subsidies that will help Oregonians to prepare for, accept, and maintain employment in construction trades statewide. Cooper Zietz and its subcontractors will receive about $633,200 for services in all five ODOT regions as part of the BOLI-ODOT Program.

  The Portland Youthbuilders contract includes over $69,000 in funding focused on youth pre-apprenticeship services in the Portland/METRO region, including orientations to the trades, career counseling, training in foundational skills and apprenticeship preparation. Portland Youthbuilders is a state-approved pre-apprenticeship program and an AmeriCorps affiliate, qualifying participants to apply for educational assistance to prepare for careers in the trades. “The proposals that we are funding will attack recruitment and retention issues from several directions,” Avakian said. “This strategy will bring a range of services to communities around the state, directly enhancing the employment opportunities of Oregonians.” BOLI will announce more contract awards soon, including additional services reaching regions outside the Portland Metro Area.