OCT. 17, 2008:NWLP
10/14/08
9:55 AM
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Apprenticeship programs eligible to apply for
grants from Workforce Investment Council
Merkley talks to rank-and-file
Oregon House Speaker and U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Merkley (left) talks to
AFL-CIO National Organizing Director Stewart Acuff at an Oct. 1 listening
event staged by the Oregon AFL-CIO. At the Portland offices of American
Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the state
labor federation assembled a roundtable of six union members from as many
unions, each of whom asked Merkley a question about topics from trade to
health care to Social Security for the benefit of several members of the news
media. Acuff says the Merkley campaign is one of the national labor
movement’s top priorities. On Oct. 12, the National Alliance for Retired
Americans endorsed Merkley. The Alliance is an organization of retired
union members who want to make their voices heard in the laws, policies,
politics and institutions that affect all older Americans. ARA has an Oregon
chapter.
Union apprenticeship training and
journey-level skill enhancement pro-
grams that serve residents of Clackamas
County are eligible to apply for training
funds through the Workforce Invest-
ment Council of Clackamas County.
Approximately $219,600 will be
awarded. Average awards are $20,000.
“Many training programs aren’t
aware that this money is available,” said
Ron Murray, a union representative of
Plumbers and Fitters Local 290 who
represents labor on the Workforce In-
vestment Council of Clackamas
County.
The purpose of the training funds is
to create and retain living-wage jobs in
Clackamas County; build a highly
skilled workforce; train current work-
ers; and enhance global competitiveness
of Oregon businesses based on work-
force skills.
A minimum $1 to $1 match of cash
and/or in-kind services is required. El-
igible matches must consist of project
related costs covered by the applicant,
which are not funded with local, state,
or federal governmental resources.
Funds cannot be used for recruiting
workers from outside Oregon, paying
wages for participants while in training
or to purchase equipment, among other
restrictions.
To apply for a training grant go to
www.wicco.org – Employer Workforce
Training Fund page to download appli-
cation materials.
Proposals must be submitted no later
than 4 p.m. on Oct. 31. Funds will be
awarded Nov. 6.
Karl Bik, Co-Chairman
Cement Masons Trust Funds for Northern California
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John Mendoza, Vice President & Relationship Manager, (415) 705-7112
Visit us at unionbank.com
OCTOBER 17, 2008
NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS
©2007 Union Bank of California, N.A. Member FDIC
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