North River Boats, Roseburg, Ore., is one of four businesses involved in the Future Ready Oregon program. The program, launched by Umpqua Community College (UCC), aims to address the challenges of workforce development in rural and low-income areas.
A $500,000 Manufacturing Workforce Ready Grant, awarded by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, will support UCC’s Career Ready Umpqua initiative. According to Danielle Haskett, UCC’s Dean of Instruction, the grant will help students overcome obstacles and access opportunities that lead to high-paying jobs in advanced manufacturing careers, such as engineering, forestry, mechatronics, and welding.
Aluminum boatbuilder, North River Boats, will play a key role by offering hands-on learning opportunities through internships.
The program recruits students from all grade levels through college, focusing on those from rural and low-income communities. It provides 100 students access to paid internships, mentorships, scholarships, workshops, and workplace tours.
Haskett emphasized that by removing barriers, Future Ready Oregon will strengthen the state’s economic competitiveness while fostering a diverse and skilled workforce.
The other three businesses involved in the program include Con-Vey, an industrial automation provider; Orenco Systems, a wastewater technology company; and Roseburg Forest Products, a wood products manufacturer.
