Leave no worker behind

I had a very productive meeting with the U.S. Secretary of Labor, Marty Walsh.

Recently we convened a roundtable meeting with Secretary Walsh and Oregon leaders to discuss how we can strengthen workforce training programs and create more pathways to successful careers – especially for women and people of color.

I also wanted Sec. Walsh to see the progress we're making right here in Oregon. We toured Portland Community College's new Training Center at the Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center (OMIC) in Scappoose and the NECA-IBEW Training Center in Portland.

Portland Community College’s new Training Center at the Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center (OMIC) in Scappoose

Workforce training may not get media headlines, but it's one of the most effective ways we can create good job opportunities for Oregonians, especially in underrepresented communities. That's why I've been fighting to strengthen workforce training programs, apprenticeships, and pre-apprenticeships.

The COVID-19 pandemic hit women especially hard. Nearly two million women left the workforce during the pandemic. We must fix this disparity. I hope that with our strong partnership with the Biden Administration, we can continue to build on the progress we've made and create more and better opportunities for women returning to the workforce.

Let's close the skills gap and give workers the tools they need to build a great career. We'll keep making workforce training programs more accessible for Oregonians, especially women and people of color.

Thank you for standing with me,

Suzanne

Posted on April 20, 2022.