It’s the classic “teach a man to fish and you’ll feed him for a lifetime” story. At the Irvington Covenant CDC, they offer job training for people who need a little boost turning things around (people with low income, those with one run-in with the law). Patricia Daniels with the group says they’ve seen a dramatic decrease in trade-training as more high schools focus on prepping kids for college, so they’re filling the need.
They offer a pre-apprentice program, but they also know that green industries are gaining ground. Daniels tells GNPDX they wanted to offer training in the new, growing industry, but needed some help with funding.
Enter the United Way. The local charity passed on a major grant (exact amount was not available but we know it’s in the 5-6 figure range) which will cover the new classes.
Daniels says it’s a major blessing. Not only will these classes help get people back to work, but it will put them in jobs that pay well and can provide a way out from barely making ends meet.
