Eastern Oregon Trains its Skilled Workforce, Students and Businesses

Eastern Oregon Trains its Skilled Workforce, Students and Businesses Main Photo

1 Dec 2021


News

Eastern Oregon has a vibrant collection of talented professionals in a wide range of industries, from skilled trades personnel to research scientists. The educational opportunities that exist in the region match that diversity. Employers and individuals in the workforce have a range of options to either expand their skill base, seek to change their career or begin their journey into satisfying and gainful employment. Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative (OTEC) is proud to partner with the institutions below to develop the vital employment opportunities for the communities within its Eastern Oregon service area.

Workforce Development

Baker City’s Baker Technical Institute (BTI) states it is “here to provide a next-generation education for the future of Eastern Oregonians” through partnerships with regional employers and industry experts. Doing so allows BTI to offer technical training for high demand careers and skills such as Certified Nursing Assistant, heavy equipment operator, trucking with CDL certification, various welding certifications, electrician, lineman and various utilities roles. Many of their courses are available as mobile training, with BTI bringing its coursework to a business, organization or community. 

Training & Employment Consortium (TEC) exists to contribute to the economic vitality of its regions by being a valuable resource for education, vocational training and employment. It does so through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult/Dislocated Worker Program with job search and career counseling services. Similarly, it incorporates workforce development training for those between the ages of 14 - 24 via the WIOA Youth Program. Eastern Oregon locations within OTEC’s service locations include Baker City, La Grande and Burns.

Community College

Blue Mountain Community CollegeBlue Mountain Community College (BMCC) offers technical certificates and degrees, workforce development programs and continuing education for a number of communities throughout Eastern Oregon. Programs such as the A.A.S. Nursing, Certificate of Dental Assisting Technician Program and Certificate of Emergency Medical Technician Program are approved by the Oregon Department of Education and their respective industry certification organizations. BMCC Baker County, BMCC Grant County in John Day and BMCC Union County in LaGrande each provide distance instruction, certificate programs and adult education. 

Treasure Valley Community College (TVCC) has four locations, including the Harney County Outreach Center in Burns. Local students can work toward their college degrees at TVCC or Eastern Oregon University via distance education in over 80 programs. In addition to standard academic offerings, its Career Pathways program allows students to achieve certificates in one year or less in high demand occupations in agriculture, business, early childhood education, healthcare, industrial trades and natural resources. In addition, its Center for Business, Workforce and Community Learning and Small Business Development Center can provide customized workforce development programs to meet every businesses needs, such as electrical apprentice training and EMT certificate training.

Four-year College Education

Eastern Oregon UniversityUnion County is home to Eastern Oregon University (EOU), consistently ranked as one of the most affordable four-year institutions in the Pacific Northwest. Unique and in-demand programs develop EOU graduates as a steady pool of talent for local businesses looking to hire or to further train their existing workforce. A new program initiated in 2020, Sustainable Rural Systems Degree, involves students in a brownfield restoration project as they earn a Bachelor of Arts, Science or Applied Science degree. Another resource is EOU’s Rural Engagement and Vitality Center which, in a joint venture with Wallowa Resources, develops programs to stimulate and promote rural communities and their students. 

Beyond supplying electricity to its members, OTEC understands economic development is vital to thriving local communities. The cooperative invests in programs such as those listed above to ensure Eastern Oregon’s future continues to be bright. Its economic development team works closely with community and business leaders to ensure they have what they need to succeed and are prepared for growth. Entrepreneurs, investors and site selectors will find the information, answers and assistance from OTEC to join in the exciting growth occurring in Eastern Oregon today!