Bend, Ore—Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian will join educators and community leaders tomorrow for a tour of Bend and Redmond career technical education (CTE) programs while making the case for renewed legislative investment for hands-on learning programs.
The Bend program earned a $268,000 CTE revitalization grant for renewable energy and electric vehicle technology. The Redmond CTE program secured a $475,000 grant to engage students in advance manufacturing. Both grants leverage additional resources from local partners.
During the tour, Commissioner Avakian will praise the legislature’s investment in 21st century shop classes and commitment to building a highly skilled and competitive workforce for Central Oregon.
Since 2001, a bipartisan coalition of legislators has directed $14 million to bring back vocational programs to more than 200 Oregon middle schools and high schools serving more than 100,000 students. The 21st century shop classes prepare students for careers in fields such as advanced manufacturing, health care, renewable energy development and maritime welding.
“The programs in Bend and Redmond are making a difference in local communities,” said Commissioner Avakian. “Now is the time to expand student access to hands-on learning so that we can build a stronger, more skilled workforce for our state.”
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