Mayor Wheeler Launches “American Rescue Plan” Pandemic Recovery Employment Program to Support Portland’s Economic Recovery
Portland’s “American Rescue Plan” pandemic recovery employment response kicks off two years of support for Portlanders, starting with the Driving Diversity program.
Portland, Ore. – Portland’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) workforce development program, sponsored by the City of Portland, is helping Portlanders who have been impacted by the pandemic to re-career into living wage jobs.
One of these efforts, the Driving Diversity program, trains and places low-income Portlanders into recycling and waste hauling careers that serve the city. These careers start at $50,000+ per year with benefits and involve local driving routes with regular schedules. Through the City’s ARP program, Driving Diversity courses will be offered quarterly at no cost to Portland residents for the next two years.
The next class is starting soon! See flyer below!
Participants include people who lost their jobs, parents who haven’t been able to work due to lack of childcare, and people impacted by homelessness. 70% are people of color, advancing efforts to diversify the recycling and waste industry in Portland.
In addition to the graduation ceremony, graduates will guide guests through a pre-trip inspection of a recycling truck and there will be opportunities to interview program graduates, representatives from the recycling and waste collection companies that serve the city, newly elected PPS board member and Interstate Trucking Academy owner Gary Hollands, and others.
Congratulations Graduates!
