Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 16, 2017)
in other words november16 2017 3 Expanding Opportunities for Work-Based Skills Training By Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici As I visit communities across Northwest Or- egon, I hear from many Oregonians who feel left behind and left out of the economic re- covery. Too many people are still strug- gling to make ends meet. If they are working, their wages are stagnant. They feel overwhelmed by rising rent prices, barriers to transportation, and sky-high childcare costs. There may be job open- ings in their community, but the jobs require skills and resources they don’t have. They are not alone. More than half of the jobs in today’s labor market require less than a four-year degree, but more than a high school diploma. Un- fortunately, only 43 percent of Ameri- can workers have the skills for those po- sitions. This creates a “skills gap,” leav- ing businesses struggling to find work- ers with necessary skills, and workers without pathways to better-paying jobs. Apprenticeships and work- based learning programs help close the skills gap. Employers can align training with the skills they need, and workers learn while they earn through classroom instruction and paid, on-the-job train- ing. It’s a win-win. We need to strengthen invest- ments in work-based learning programs that respond to local industry needs, like the Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center (OMIC). OMIC brings together industry leaders like Boeing with educa- tional institutions such as Oregon Tech, Oregon State University, Portland State University, and Portland Community College to develop work-based learning programs. This collaboration will result in growth and efficiency in advanced manufacturing, and more good jobs for Oregonians. OMIC is the right approach, at the right time, in the right place. It will foster the expertise and innovation that American industries need to continue to thrive and compete globally. This pub- lic-private partnership is a tremendous opportunity for Oregonians because it brings value to our communities and the economy. To help Oregonians and many other Americans who still face job in- security, we must expand work-based learning to sectors of the economy that lack established apprenticeship pro- grams, like health care and technol- ogy start-ups. Small- and medium-sized businesses often do not have the re- sources to establish work-based learn- ing programs. Like OMIC, industry partnerships bring together employers, education institutions, training provid- ers, and community-based organiza- tions to support the creation and expan- sion of work-based learning programs that benefit workers and the economy as a whole. Recently my colleague on the Education and Workforce Commit- tee, Congressman Drew Ferguson, and I introduced bipartisan legislation to expand opportunities for skills train- ing. Our bill, the PARTNERS Act, would support industry partnerships to help small- and medium-sized business- es develop work-based learning pro- grams - at no additional cost to taxpay- ers. The industry partnerships will also make it easier for people to re-enter the workforce by providing workers with access to tools, work attire, transporta- tion, child care services, and mentorship support. Through greater investment in apprenticeships and other training pro- grams, we can get more people back to work and provide our nation’s busi- nesses with a more productive and ef- ficient workforce. The PARTNERS Act and OMIC stem from the same good concept: when we approach economic problems with workers and businesses in mind, we come up with better solu- tions for everyone - and we all win. Health Care Open Enrollment Ends December 15 By Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici Keeping ourselves and our families healthy is important, and that’s why I’ve worked to protect and expand access to affordable health care under the Affordable Care Act. Shopping for health insurance at HealthCare.Oregon. gov could save you money through assistance and subsidies, or it could help you find a plan that better suits your health care needs and your fam- ily’s needs. The continuing rising cost of health care is a challenge that I am working to address with my colleagues in Congress. But many Oregonians can find quality, affordable coverage when comparing options for 2018. In fact, 77 percent of Oregonians qualified for fi- nancial assistance that lowered the av- erage price of coverage to under $148 a month in 2017. Enrollment for coverage in 2018 is open now at HealthCare.Or- egon.gov and lasts until December 15 - that’s just four weeks to make sure you are covered. Even if you already have insurance, it’s a good idea to compare plans and make sure you have the most affordable insurance plan that offers the best coverage for your needs. Free help is available if you would like assistance enrolling in a plan or updating your information. Call 1-855-268-3767, attend an enroll- ment event near you, or contact a part- ner agent in your county. Support is available in sixteen languages. You must enroll by December 15, 2017 for new or updated coverage that will start on January 1. If you are one of the 136,000 Oregonians who already gets coverage through the ex- change and you don’t make any changes by December 15, you will automatically be re-enrolled in your current plan. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, about 20 million more people across the country now have health in- surance coverage. About 95 percent of Oregonians and 98 percent of children in Oregon are covered. I remain com- mitted to protecting the Affordable Care Act and making sure that any action we take improves, not weakens, health care for Oregonians. If you would like to know more about my work around Northwest Or- egon and in Congress, please sign up for my monthly Bonamici Bulletin email newsletter at Bonamici.House. gov or follow me on Facebook, Insta- gram, Twitter, and YouTube. You can also contact my Oregon and Washing- ton, D.C. offices with questions, com- ments, or for assistance with a federal agency. Publisher and Managing Editor Scott Laird 503-367-0098 scott@vernoniasvoice.com Contributors Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici Jim Bryson Chip Bubl Kala Cota Tobie Finzel Kailia Jackson Karen Kain Stacey Lynn Aaron Miller Karen Miller Shannon Romtvedt Robert Schattschneider Photography Scott Laird Want to advertise? Have an article? Contact: scott@vernoniasvoice.com One year subscription (24 issues) $35 Vernonia’s Voice is published on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month. Vernonia’s Voice, LLC PO Box 55 Vernonia, OR 97064 503-367-0098 www.VernoniasVoice.com International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day Saturday, November 18, 10 am Grace Family Fellowship If you have lost a family member or loved one to suicide please come to help heal and to find support. Cedar Side Inn FULL SPORTS PACKAGE! Happy Hour Mon-Fri 4-7 EVENTS Taco Tuesday from opening until 9pm 3 hardshell or 1 softshell $4.25 Sat, Nov. 18 Moonshine Ladies’ Night every Thursday 6pm-close • Free Pool • Free WiFi • Specialty Pizzas iheck our Facebook page for daily specials and upcoming events 756 Bridge Street, Vernonia 503-429-5841 Sat, Dec. 2 • Specialty hamburgers • 8 Draft beers & mixed drinks • 5 Craft beers on tap • Pool tables & satelite TV • Free Wi-fi • Beer & Kegs to go Sun - Thurs 11 AM - Midnight • 733 Bridge St, Vernonia Special Fundraiser Texas Hold ‘em Sat, Dec. 9 Dr. Stahl “BIKER FRIENDLY” Fri - Sat 11 AM - 2:30 AM • 503-429-9999
