Overview
The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), represented by TERO Manager John Barkley and Apprenticeship Coordinator Michelle Bratlie, partnered with Team Oregon Build to expand career-connected learning opportunities for students and address the need for workforce development in construction trades within the Tribe and surrounding communities. This team concurrently led a BOLI Future Ready Oregon - Construction Apprenticeship program at CTUIR, successfully graduating three cohorts of students. This partnership exemplifies how collaboration between educational entities and Tribal communities can drive skill development while fostering community resilience. Supported by Lane ESD, Lane Workforce Partnership, Oregon Department of Education (ODE), and Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS), the initiative provides CTUIR students with hands-on training, enhancing their skills in construction and manufacturing.
Key Program Contributions
Through this collaboration, John Barkley was introduced to Team Oregon Build at an event hosted by Lane ESD, Lane Workforce Partnership, Crow High School, and Everyone Village, attended by multiple partners, including local industry representatives. The event featured a tour of Everyone Village’s completed housing units, showcasing the transformative impact of these builds on the community. Crow High School’s CTE instructor, students, principal, and superintendent provided an overview of their program, highlighted their current build, and shared insights that underscored the program’s positive community impact.
Michelle Bratlie, CTUIR’s Apprenticeship Coordinator, has been instrumental in fostering the success of this partnership, collaborating throughout the Team Oregon Build project as a thought partner in program development and execution. As a result of this collaboration, two build projects sponsored by TOB and CTUIR will soon be underway: one at Nixya’awii Community School and another at Sunridge Middle School. These projects not only provide essential career skills but also support CTUIR’s workforce development needs while addressing Oregon’s broader housing challenges.
The Collective Impact Model in Action
This partnership with CTUIR empowers Native youth and their peers to gain practical experience in construction while contributing to local housing and infrastructure needs. By offering real-world learning environments, the initiative strengthens connections between the educational sector and the Tribes, establishing a model for inclusive, career-connected learning. The builds at CTUIR serve as both educational platforms and meaningful contributions to community resilience and housing availability.
Conclusion
The partnership between Team Oregon Build and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation represents a powerful model for integrating career-connected learning into Tribal communities. By leveraging the strengths of educational institutions and local industry, this collaboration not only addresses critical workforce development needs but also empowers Native youth to take an active role in shaping their futures. The hands-on training and real-world experience provided through this initiative cultivate essential skills while contributing to community resilience and housing solutions. As these projects progress, they will continue to pave the way for a sustainable workforce within the Tribe and inspire future generations to engage in construction and related fields.
As TOB continues, the initiative stands as a beacon for how state agencies, Tribes and industry can work in synergy, addressing pressing challenges while building a stronger and more resilient future for Oregon.
Please contact Jim Taylor: [email protected] for more information about agency engagement to support Team Oregon Build
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