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On Friday, Su and U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, toured the training center of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 48 in east Portland. At the training center, Su hosted a roundtable for industry leaders to discuss how the nation’s workforce could diversify as the federal government plans to overhaul the nation’s infrastructure.
Secretary Su and Congresswoman Bonamici heard from students in PCC’s Quick Start and apprenticeship programs that have high school students already working for large advanced manufacturers like Intel.
Other factors, such as cost of living in places like Hillsboro and instability in the industry also discourage people from entering the semiconductor industry, Bonamici said. The congresswoman called for reforming the Low Income Housing Credit to begin tackling affordable housing.
February is CTE Month and a time to recognize the contributions CTE programs make to the economy, along with the important work being done by CTE professionals and teachers across the country. As co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional CTE Caucus and senior members of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, we strongly support CTE programs that provide learners of all ages with career-ready skills.
“When I hear stories, and really see and hear what’s happening in communities, like here in St. Helens with, for example, the residents of the affordable housing community. And what it meant to them to get them on a path where they can thrive,” Bonamici said. “Here, listening to the very tough but meaningful work that the people do here at the Amani Center, as I work on legislation, whether it be policy legislation or funding requests, I keep those stories in mind because I want to address the needs of the community that I represent.”