Story submitted by New Bridge High School at Rogue Valley Youth Correctional Facility
On May 14, Youth Pathways Partnership facilitated a forklift certification class for ten Oregon Youth Authority youth at Rogue Valley Youth Correctional Facility in Grants Pass.
These youth spent several hours in class learning safe operation protocols, and then moved outside where they spent several more hours taking turns in the driver’s seat to gain hands-on experience operating a forklift.
New Bridge High School paid for the certification class, taught by a Rogue Community College instructor. Holding a certification like this can increase a worker’s starting pay by several dollars per hour.
New Bridge is thankful to Youth Pathways, a Josephine County non-profit that provides youth workforce development opportunities and experiences. They have set up numerous virtual career exploration activities for the youth at Rogue Valley, which included members of the skilled trades talking to the youth about how to access these careers.
Prior to the forklift training, Youth Pathways’ last event was with the director of the Oregon branch of the Minority Contractors Association, speaking about how people of color can start businesses in the skilled trades.
A huge thank-you also goes out to Grants Pass Equipment Rental for the use of the forklift, as well as delivering it and picking it up!
