Housing and Construction Workforce Training Grant

Housing and Construction Workforce Training Grant

Funder: Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC), Oregon; Governor's Statewide Activities Grant Program

Award Date: May 20, 2025

Geographic Scope: Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, and Josephine counties, Oregon

Funding Source: Federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA); administered by HECC's Office of Workforce Investments

Status: Awarded (past funding)

Program Overview

SOWIB, in partnership with Rogue Workforce Partnership, was awarded $750,000 to support job training for careers in housing construction. This initiative addresses critical housing shortage and workforce development needs across Southern Oregon.

Focus Areas

• Industry: Housing and construction trades
• Target Population: Job seekers seeking career training and employment
• Expected Participants: Approximately 160 participants
• Training Outcomes: Pre-apprenticeship opportunities and industry-recognized credentials in construction trades

Career Pathways

Training leads to positions in:
• Carpenters
• Electricians
• HVAC technicians
• Equipment operators
• Other key building industry roles

Partners

• SOWIB (Southwestern Oregon Workforce Investment Board)
• Rogue Workforce Partnership
• Southern Oregon Coast Regional Housing (SOCRH)
• Southwestern Oregon Community College
• Umpqua Community College
• Industry leaders and trade organizations

Background Context

• Addresses Oregon's housing production goal: need for average of 12,700 housing production workers per year between 2028-2034
• Communities experiencing growing housing demand and corresponding demand for skilled construction workers
• Part of Governor Tina Kotek's ambitious housing targets
• Major housing development projects underway across region

Staffing

• SOWIB hiring a Sector Strategist focused on:
- Strengthening partnerships with employers and training providers - Ensuring alignment of workforce development efforts with real-time labor market needs

Contact

Sara Stephens, Executive Director of SOWIB Email: sstephens@sowib.org Phone: 541-290-9557