KCC Awarded $1.2M grant to provide job seeker and workforce services for Klamath & Lake Counties

File photo

Article by Lacy Jarrell, Director of Communications KCC.

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore — Klamath Community College is pleased to announce the college has been awarded a $1.2 million Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) grant to provide continued job seeker and workforce development services to adult, dislocated, and youth workers in Klamath and Lake counties.

“WIOA is an excellent fit for this part of Oregon because it’s designed to strengthen and improve our public workforce system and to help our community members, including youth and those experiencing barriers to employment, land good-paying, high-quality jobs and careers,” said KCC President Dr. Roberto Gutierrez.

The grant will be disbursed over a three-year period and is a partnership among the East Cascades Workforce Investment Board, who facilitates the grant; WorkSource Klamath, who delivers comprehensive job seeker services; and Klamath Community College.

Through the grant, KCC will deliver career and training services to dislocated workers and adult job seekers. For out-of-school youth and young adults ages 16 to 24, programs will focus on job training and establishing pathways to higher education.

WIOA grant funding supports program participants in developing individualized employment plans that guide and support out-of-work or underemployed community members, vocational training, and career pathway education. WIOA training activities will also serve dislocated workers and those in need of transitional training or education due to business closure or position realignment.

“Emergency services provided through this grant are crucial for rural Oregon, especially when major employers in our region abruptly close down. This funding will allow KCC to be flexible and nimble in keeping community members employed or getting them the training or education they need to secure a new job,” said Charles “Chip” Massie, KCC executive director of External Programs.

KCC and WorkSource staff will also provide participants with foundational soft skills needed to find employment, including resume writing, networking, and building references. Best practices and innovative strategies will be applied for effective delivery, and hands-on guidance will be provided by staff when needed.

Grant funds may also be available to directly support training and educational programs that lead to work.

“Many community members have taken advantage of this financial support for more expensive programs such as commercial driver’s license, carpentry, and certified medical assistant,” Massie said. “These programs include workshops on workplace basics, resume development, job search help, and may include financial assistance for work-related items, such as uniforms.”

For more information about job seeker and workforce programs at KCC, contact KCC Director of Workforce Michael Cargill at 541-880-2253 or cargill@klamathcc.edu.