Light at End of Economic Tunnel?

The state labor commissioner is promoting ways to revitalize Southern Oregon's workforce. The statewide unemployment rate is 6.4 percent, more than a full percentage point above the rate a year ago.

Although the economy, housing market, and credit crunch have strained Oregon's workforce, he says there is a light at the end of tunnel.

"We've got a diverse workforce in Oregon and we actually have one of the hardest working workforces in Oregon of any state in the country. But our unemployment rate has climbed to 6 1/2 percent. In some parts of the state it's even higher," says Avakian.

The housing market lull hit hard in Southern Oregon, slowing a once booming residential construction market. Though times are tough now, Avakian says workers should prepare for better times.

"We're going to come out of this cycle. It isn't good right now, but we're going to come out of it. And we need to be prepared to start filling the jobs when the cycle ends," he says.

"Whether it be housing service, HVAC controls, or industrial steamfitter type work," says Dan Bailey.

Bailey is a training coordinator at the newly built plumbers' apprentice center in White City.

"Absolute state of the art, one of the best facilities in the world if you want to be a plumber and it's right here in Orego," says Avakian.

It's programs like this he's promoting across the state as a way to prepare the workforce for the jobs he says await.

"When they hire these apprentices and journeymen, they go out to the jobsite and they're well-versed in what they're doing in the plumbing and steam-fitting industry," says Bailey.

Avakian says his plans for a stronger workforce go even beyond these traditional skill jobs. He also wants to see workers trained for the jobs of the future.

"I'm talking about things like creating homegrown renewable energy jobs from an entire new emerging industry that's coming to Oregon. And we're not totally prepared to provide that workforce now, but we can be quickly," he says.

Avakian presented his plan to the Medford Chamber of Commerce Wednesday morning. He also met with state legislators to gain support.

The commissioner's visit comes just days after the Oregon employment department released new unemployment numbers showing a 46-percent increase in claims. More than $54,000 Oregonians are now receiving unemployment insurance benefits.