Creating Positive Impacts for
Lane County’s Future Workforce
Youth Program Services
In the 2019 – 2020 program year, 340 youth/young adults benefited from being served through one of Lane Workforce Partnership’s contracted youth providers.
Career Options for Youth
TANF Youth Employment Program
Looking Glass Community Services in partnership with Lane Workforce Partnership and the Department of Human Services is offering a Teen Employment Program. Looking Glass will provide TANF Youth Employment Program services for up to 52 DHS TANF Youth who meet the eligibility criteria. The focus of the program is to engage TANF youth in job preparation/training as well as to place the youth in a paid work experience that matches their interests and skill level.
The program will provide the following services:
- Positive work experience through a public, non-profit, or private company in Lane County;
- On-the-job training designed to teach positive work habits and entry level skills;
- Career and training guidance;
- Help with applications, resumes, and cover letters;
- Training in Financial Literacy;
- CPR/First Aid Training
Program Players:
- Youth Employees
- Worksite Supervisors
- Family Coaches and Case Managers
- Employment Specialist and Supervisor
Contact Info: Naomi Pederson, Services Manager, Looking Glass Riverfront School and Career Center, naomi.pederson@lookingglass.us; (541) 731-4565.
Promote Trade Opportunities- Skilled to Work KEZI 9 News Initiative
Manufacturing Career Day
On October 4, 2019, over 200 Lane County high school students from 17 high schools had an opportunity to tour food production, wood products manufacturing companies, and other local manufacturers on National Manufacturing Day. Last year the tours were so popular that this year an extra bus was added as well as an event the evening before Manufacturing Day for school administrators and school board members with abbreviated tours of two facilities. The tours exposed students to the production process, tools, techniques, and people who make some of the area’s finest products. Tour locations included: Euphoria Chocolate, Glory Bee, Seneca Sawmill, Attune Foods, Franz Bakery, Swanson Group, Kingsford Manufacturing, Cutting Edge Illusions, Forrest Technical, Hummingbird Wholesale. Students came away from the tours energized and inspired.
National Manufacturing Day is an opportunity for manufacturers to show their communities what they do, highlight the economic importance of manufacturing, and draw attention to rewarding manufacturing careers.
Sand and Gravel Industry Tours
When staff of the Lane Workforce Partnership learned that the Sand and Gravel Industry was interested in providing youth with an opportunity to learn about the industry, they quickly organized a tour. 2019 marked the 6th year of this program! Delta Sand and Gravel, Knife River, Wildish, and Eugene Sand and Gravel combined efforts for the tours held April 2nd and April 3rd, 2019. Over 100 Lane County youth from 9 Lane County high schools (Mohawk, North Eugene, Triangle Lake Charter School, Springfield, Thurston, Willamette, Pleasant Hill, Kalapuya, and West Lane Tech) participated. The tours provided youth with an opportunity to learn about the sand and gravel industry, as well as, future employment opportunities.
Construction Utility Career Day
The Construction Utility Career Day is held every two years in Lane County. A total of 417 students (25% more than in 2016) from 22 high schools (10% more than in 2016) participated in the 2018 CUCD at Eugene Water and Electric Board. 45 vendors (20% more than in 2016) promoted the industry through booth/exhibits, hands on activities, heavy equipment operation, and utility demonstrations. Lane Workforce Partnership participates, as one of the many sponsors of this event, to assist in providing youth with an opportunity to learn about the great family wage careers in the construction and utility trades.
At the event, youth are able to get hands-on experience finishing concrete, setting tile, rebar-tying, climbing power poles, and installing utilities. Heavy equipment is on-site and youth are able to operate the equipment under supervised instruction. Contractors, utilities, state agencies, trade apprenticeship programs, and colleges all provide exhibits.
National Career Readiness Certificate
Job applicants who earn an NCRC have shown they will “go the extra mile” to compete for a job. Employers know that holding an NCRC proves that an individual has documented their level of foundational workplace skills, and are ready to be trained in the specific requirements of a job.
The Math and Reading test portions of the NCRC meet the Essential Skills graduation requirement through the Oregon Department of Education. As a result of earning a certificate, Lane County high school students who were not slated to graduate, passed the NCRC and walked with their graduation class.