Southwestern Oregon Community College has been named the recipient of a $108,210 grant from the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department, on behalf of numerous partners.

The grant – designated for the Oregon Metals in Transportation Pathway in Coos and Curry counties – will help link industry partners in the metals and transportation equipment sectors with educators and skills trainers to create a comprehensive workforce strategy. These employers need to replace retiring workers in production, welding and metal fabrication. The collaboration gives employers an opportunity to review and provide critical input to high school, college and skills training curricula as they are created, revised and aligned with current industry standards.

As part of an ongoing effort to build Oregon’s workforce in response to the needs of existing and emerging industries, the grant to Southwestern is part of $1.4 million in workforce education and training grants awarded by Gov. Ted Kulongoski to support training in communities across Oregon. The funds were awarded to organized partnerships among employers and the education and training community that are working together to develop the skilled workforce businesses need.

“Workforce development is the single biggest factor in business retention, expansion and recruitment,” Kulongoski said. “Together we can address our workforce shortages in key sectors and diversify our economy in areas such as green building and renewable energy. The economic vitality of our state depends on it. … Collaboration between the private and public sectors should be rewarded. These partnerships provide the business community a first-hand opportunity to shape education and training curriculum and to create the workforce they need.”

The grant award also is a result of local partnerships between industry, education, economic development, workforce development and government leadership entities and individuals, including Southwestern Business Development Center, Sause Brothers, Freeman Marine Equipment Inc., American Bridge Manufacturing, the Southwestern Fabrication/Welding Technology Program, the Pathways initiative at Southwestern, Southwestern Curry County programs, South Coast Educational Service District, Umpqua Community College, Oregon Economic and Community Development Department, South Coast Business Employment Corporation, the South Coast Works Workforce Investment Board for Region 7 in Coos and Curry counties, the South Coast Development Council, Coos County Commissioner John Griffith, Curry County Commissioner Georgia Nowlin and Douglas County Commissioner Joe Laurance.