Our success is measured by the satisfaction of the job seekers, career advancers and businesses that receive employment and training services through our network of programs. Here is a sample of customers who have accessed our services and their stories. Interviews are available by contacting our Communications Department.

Adults

Daniel Shurte
SELF-SUFFICIENT THROUGH DETERMINATION AND MOTIVATION
Daniel walked into a One-Stop center after completing a drug and alcohol treatment program. He was homeless and eager to turn his life around. Central City Concern (CCC) provided job search counseling and assistance, job referrals, coordination with the Oregon Employment Department, and bus tickets.

CCC enrolled Daniel in the HUD-funded Shoreline Employment Program. Program enrollees have 70 days to find full-time work and receive housing and case management for two years as long as full-time employment is retained. With his housing issues resolved, Daniel was ready to find work. Because of his great attitude and job skills, Daniel was recommended by CCC for a permanent position with one of the top ten general contractors in the Portland Metropolitan Area and got the job. Throughout his job search and transition to work, Daniel has maintained his sobriety and his housing. He is now earning more than twice what he has made in the past and is well on his way to becoming self-sufficient through his own determination and motivation.

Vladimir Shulik
UNEMPLOYED ELECTRICIAN SHARPENS SELF-MARKETING SKILLS
Vladimir moved to Oregon from the Ukraine with 13-years experience as an electrician. He worked as an electrical systems designer for five years before he was laid off. A year after his layoff, Vladimir remained unemployed. Vladimir enrolled in the WSI-funded Dislocated Worker Program (DWP) at the PCC Workforce Network. He received in-depth assessment, counseling and attended several job-readiness workshops. The workshops helped him learn how to market his skills and prepare for upcoming interviews. His job search resulted in a permanent job at Hollywood Entertainment. His new employer required him to have his own tools at a cost of $600. DWP helped pay for the tools and provided mileage assistance until he received his first paycheck. Vladimir is extremely satisfied with his new position of equipment maintenance technician.

Kha Le
TRAINING LEADS GROCERY STOCKER TO HIGH-TECH CAREER
Kha was employed part-time as a produce stocker at a grocery store. He was working 15 hours a week with no benefits. He had an Associates Degree, but none of his previous jobs utilized his education or training. Kha approached the staff at the PCC CAPITAL Career Center and asked for help developing a career. He participated in the center’s Entry-Level High-Tech Skills Training program sponsored by the Electronic Manufacturing Consortium. Kha attended the courses during the week and worked part-time on the weekends. Upon completing the training program he was hired at Merix Corp. through Express Personnel. He is employed in the lamination department. He expects to be hired into a permanent position in the near future.


Youth

Aqueelah McCray
YO TRAINING AND SUPPORT LEADS TO JOB AND SELF-RELIANCE
While Aqueelah was in high school, she joined the Youth Opportunity Program (YO). She appreciated the YO staff and counselors because they were helpful and sincere. Aqueelah received assistance with rent, clothing, and training through Mt. Hood Community College Project YESS.

Aqueelah was then ready for on-the-job work experience with compensation provided by YO. These work experiences gave her confidence, skills and determination to pursue full-time permanent work. After the birth of her daughter, Aqueelah was placed by YO staff in a temporary position with the Oregon Employment Department. After six months she was hired permanently with health and dental coverage. At age 22, Aqueelah is a successful mother, employee, and contributing member of society, thanks to the support she received at the YO Program.

Dylan Berichon
GUIDANCE HELPS STUDENT RADIO SPORTSCASTER SUCCEED
Dylan joined the Youth Employment Institute’s WIA program in 2001. His commitment to the program, motivation to improve academically and relationship with his youth advocate have set him on the road to success. By Dylan’s junior year his GPA improved to 3.86 from a low of 1.6 and he developed a desire to attend college. As a Youth Advisory Council member, Dylan developed a strong ability to facilitate a group and work effectively with his peers to accomplish the council’s objectives. In addition, Dylan was a sportscaster for Portland Public Schools’ radio station KBPS where he was highly respected by his peers and praised by his teachers. While continuing to work for KBPS, Dylan enrolled at Mt. Hood Community College as a part-time student where he plans to earn his Associates degree and eventually transfer to a four-year college. Dylan aspires to have a career in sports casting and is pursuing employment and education to that end.

Olga Bazhinova
MOLDOVA NATIVE OVERCOMES BARRIERS TO GRADUATE EARLY
Olga joined the Refugee Education and Development of Youth (READY) program shortly after moving to the United States from Moldova. In her first semester as a U.S. high school freshman, Olga failed most of her classes due to limited English skills and difficulty with an American credit-based school system. Through the READY summer program, Olga made extraordinary efforts to learn about American high school expectations, jobs in the U.S., and English. By the following school year, Olga left the ESL program at her high school and entered mainstream classes. Pushing herself one step further, Olga entered an alternative education program. Learning at her own pace, Olga utilized READY staff for tutoring and graduated in her junior year. Following her life-long dream of becoming a teacher, Olga is now a student at Portland State University, a single mother, and a paid instructor for the International Refugee Center of Oregon (IRCO)

Business

Case Study: Standard TV & Appliance
The community nonprofit SE Works, which provides workforce services in Southeast Portland, considers relationships with local employers to be fundamental to its success. Two years ago, Standard TV & Appliance contacted SE Works to pre-screen job applicants for its delivery, warehouse and sales support positions. As a result, Standard TV & Appliance has experienced higher retention rates with employees pre-screened by SE Works and improved employee performance. Along with the reduced employee turnover has come a reduction in safety training time and safety incidents. This has, in turn, reduced the company’s insurance premiums. “SE Works has also made a difference in the lives of many of our employees,” adds Jerry Frentress, Standard’s Corporate Controller and HR Manager. “They have provided training in ESL, computer skills, and general literacy – improving job performance while enriching personal lives.”

Case Study: Oregon Steel Mills
The economic downturn, coupled with a slowdown in the metals industry, presented challenging times for Oregon Steel Mills (OSM), a steel recycling facility located in Portland. In early 2003, OSM announced the layoff of 330 workers. To aid their employees through this difficult transition, the company turned to the Rapid Response Team to provide outplacement services. During initial meetings with the company and workers, Rapid Response team members determined workers might be eligible for U.S. Trade Act benefits since closure of the mills’ melting department was the result of purchasing inexpensive slab steel from Mexico. The Trade Act provides financial support for retraining of workers whose job loss is the result of global competition or a product or company moving overseas. Rapid Response Team members helped workers file a petition with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to receive these funds while also coordinating immediate services available from the Oregon Employment Department, Oregon Office of Community Colleges and Workforce Development, and Washington WorkSource. When the petition was approved in June, 2003, workers were eligible for extended unemployment benefits and up to $12,000 each for employment and training. “The Rapid Response Team provided valuable information, encouragement, and insight as we walked our employees through the initial layoff and subsequent separations of employment,” says Claudia Adamson of OSM Human Resources. “They worked tirelessly on behalf of OSM and its dislocated employees.”



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