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“CONGRATULATING UMPQUA TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT, INC.” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Commerce was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E821 on May 24, 2000.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
CONGRATULATING UMPQUA TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT, INC.
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HON. PETER A. DeFAZIO
of oregon
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, May 23, 2000
Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my congratulations to Umpqua Training and Employment, Inc. (UT&E), which celebrates its 25th anniversary on June 11, 2000. UT&E has been a pillar in the community, offering employment training, guidance, and aid to the citizens of Douglas County.
On June 11, 1975, the State of Oregon's Corporation Division of the Department of Commerce issued a certificate of incorporation to the District 6 Manpower Program. The non-profit corporation was organized by a group of Douglas County residents who believed that federal employment and training programs should be administered by a private corporation governed by local directors. In 1981, the corporation began doing business under the name Umpqua Training and Employment, Inc.
Although UT&E's original focus was training the structurally unemployed--those who have difficulty getting and keeping jobs under any economic circumstances--they saw an increase in business during the recession of the 1980's. The unemployment rate shot past the 20 percent mark, and residents increasingly began to utilize UT&E services, which include labor market information, testing and assessment, job search training, career counseling, work experience opportunities, and occupational training both in the classroom and on-the-job.
In the mid-1980's Alcan Cable moved to Douglas County and established a unique partnership with UT&E by locating their human resource department in UT&E's offices. Applicants who may never have been considered for employment,found good jobs with an excellent local company, and UT&E began to actively participate in industrial recruitment efforts. They have assisted virtually every new employer who has located in Douglas County since 1987, including WinCo Foods, which is currently establishing their food distribution center, and Roseburg Forest Products which is building their new LVL and I-Joist plant.
In the early 1990's as the timber industry downsized, UT&E, the local office of the Employment Department, and Umpqua Community College formed a ``rapid response unit'' to assist workers displaced by plant closures and large lay-offs. With federal funds granted to especially hard-hit areas like Douglas County, UT&E helped almost 1,500 residents acquire new skills and new jobs.
UT&E has been recognized for its excellence by the Board of Douglas County Commissioners, the State of Oregon, and the Oregon Consortium. I join my colleagues in offering my personal congratulations to all those involved with Umpqua Training and Employment, Inc. on its 25th anniversary. Their tireless work in the community has provided countless jobs for the citizens of Douglas County, and I wish the members and beneficiaries of UT&E continue success in their future endeavors.
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