Jobs and Economy

As the executive director of Oregon Tradeswomen, Kelly Kupcak wants to see other women — and people of color — have the same opportunities for apprenticeships that helped her raise two sons as a union heavy equipment operator. "I am living proof of what pre-apprenticeship and registered apprenticeships can do," Kupcak said at an online forum organized by U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici.

Oregon Rep. Suzanne Bonamici visited shops in Northwest Portland to highlight Small Business Saturday on Nov. 27. Bonamici said she once worked at her mom's small business, so she understands the challenges in keeping a business going. "I know how hard small business owners and their employees work," Bonamici said.

This special edition of the All In: Student Pathway Forward podcast is focused on federal policy with a featured guest who is one of the strongest legislative champions in Congress for community colleges and workforce development, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, serving Oregon's 1st congressional district.

Shortly after the vote, Oregon lawmakers began to react with statements, with some celebrating the passage of the bill, others condemning the proposed policies. "The Build Back Better Act is a victory for children, families, caregivers, early childhood educators, and our planet," said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici.

The Protect Older Job Applicants Act (H.R. 3992) would allow job seekers age 40 or older—the threshold under the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act—to allege an employer used a seemingly neutral hiring practice to discriminate against them. "It's an especially important step toward helping older workers re-enter the workforce as the nation recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic," Rep.