(2) The department shall give preference to creating basic worker skills, but may also provide or fund training to assist in the maintenance or advancement of worker skills to ensure the viability of western juniper harvesting or related manufacturing businesses in this state. The department, the Employment Department, local governments as defined in ORS 174.116, nonprofit organizations and private associations may enter into cooperative agreements for:
(a) Identifying the projected workforce needs of western juniper harvesting or related manufacturing businesses, potential workers for those businesses and the training needs of those potential workers; and
(b) Providing workforce training assistance to meet the needs described in paragraph (a) of this subsection.
(3) Workforce training assistance described in this section must be designed to increase the likelihood that individuals in the local areas near western juniper harvesting or related manufacturing businesses will have the necessary skill sets to obtain work in those businesses. The Oregon Business Development Department may give training assistance preference to individuals in the local areas who are unemployed. [2015 c.636 §4]
Note: See note under 571.600.