Oregon institute of technology, wilsonville, or, for a healthcare career pathways program

The U.S. Department of Education awarded a $700,000 Project Grant under the Innovative Approaches to Literacy; Promise Neighborhoods; Full-Service Community Schools; and Congressionally Directed Spending for Elementary and Secondary Education Community Projects (CFDA 84.215) program to the Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT) in Wilsonville, OR. The grant will fund a Healthcare Career Pathways program over a 2-year period from September 1, 2023 to September 30, 2025.

Through a sub-award, Willamette Workforce Partnership (WWP) will deliver the Ignite Healthcare Youth Health Corps program, establishing two hybrid sites in academic years 2023-24 and 2024-25 to serve at least 30 students per year from Marion, Polk, and/or Yamhill counties. Students will engage in 6 months of career exploration and receive paid 75-hour healthcare work-based experiences or job shadows. Emphasis will be placed on recruiting underserved students, including those who are BIPOC, rural, and low-income. The Willamette Education Service District's Center for Education Innovation, Evaluation & Research (CEIER) will provide project evaluation services to assess program impact and progress.