$750,000 Grant Awarded to Boost Local Construction Workforce and Support Housing Growth

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Sara Stephens, sstephens@sowib.org, 541-290-9557

Date: 5/18/25

Coos Bay, OR – The Southwestern Oregon Workforce Investment Board (SOWIB), in partnership with Rogue Workforce Partnership, has been awarded $750,000 by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) to support job training for careers in housing construction.

This funding comes at a critical time. Communities across Southern Oregon including Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, and Josephine counties are experiencing a growing need for housing. The demand for skilled construction workers is increasing alongside it.

“This investment couldn’t come at a better moment,” said Sara Stephens, Executive Director of SOWIB. “There is serious housing momentum in our region, and this funding allows us to help local people gain the training and skills needed to step into well-paying jobs in construction. We’re excited to partner with Rogue Workforce Partnership, Southern Oregon Coast Regional Housing, Southwestern Oregon Community College, Umpqua Community College, industry leaders and trade organizations to build a workforce that supports both individuals and our broader housing goals.”

To support this regional initiative, SOWIB will be hiring a Sector Strategist focused on strengthening partnerships with employers and training providers in the housing and construction industries. This role will help ensure the alignment of workforce development efforts with real-time labor market needs.

The training program, which is expected to serve about 160 participants, will offer pre-apprenticeship opportunities and lead to industry-recognized credentials in the construction trades. Graduates will be prepared to enter local construction jobs or registered apprenticeships critical steps in meeting the labor needs of housing developers and contractors across the South Coast and Southern Oregon.

According to a 2024 workforce assessment commissioned by HECC, Oregon must add an average of 12,700 housing production workers per year between 2028 and 2034 to meet Governor Tina Kotek’s ambitious housing targets. This includes carpenters, electricians, HVAC technicians, equipment operators, and other key roles in the building industry.

Stephanie Hadley, Executive Director of the Southern Oregon Coast Regional Housing (SOCRH), emphasized the urgency of preparing a workforce for what’s ahead: “We’re seeing major housing development projects take off across our region. To keep up with this pace, we need strong partnerships that support the training and placement of skilled workers. This effort does exactly that and we’re excited to be part of the solution.”

The grant is part of the Governor’s Statewide Activities Grant Program, which aims to strengthen regional responses to workforce needs through innovative, collaborative projects. The initiative is funded through the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and administered by HECC’s Office of Workforce Investments.

For more information, visit www.sowib.org.