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Clackamas County, Ore. — Two workforce development projects will launch in June in the Sunrise Corridor, creating internships for local students and expanding partnerships between schools and employers. The projects will connect youth to hands-on career experiences while helping local businesses build a pipeline of skilled workers.
One project, led by WBTO in partnership with the Sabin-Schellenberg Professional Technical Center, focuses on aligning high school manufacturing programs with current industry needs. The effort includes employer outreach, instructor site visits, and the creation of 10 student internships. It will also support the development of a five- to 10-year strategy to connect advanced manufacturing needs with educational institutions.
“This partnership brings industry and education together in a way that directly benefits our students and local employers,” said Ajai Huja, principal at Sabin-Schellenberg Professional Technical Center. “It is an important step in preparing students for high-demand careers right here in our community.”
A second project is led by Clackamas Workforce Partnership (CWP), the local workforce development board serving Clackamas County. CWP’s project will expand youth internship opportunities, increase employers’ access to business resources, and strengthen employer engagement across the Sunrise Corridor. The initiative includes outreach to 20 to 25 businesses, support for developing internship programs through public/private sector partnerships, and placement of youth into paid work experiences. Workshops will also connect educators, career coaches, and employers. “By supporting both businesses and young people, we are strengthening the region’s workforce system in a way that benefits everyone,” said Amy Black, director of Youth Programs at Clackamas Workforce Partnership.
These projects follow the adoption of the Sunrise Corridor Community Vision Plan in 2025. More than 1,500 community members contributed to the plan, which was accepted by the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners and the City of Happy Valley. The plan identifies priorities in transportation, jobs and economy, neighborhoods and places, and open space, public health, and environment.
Early implementation of this Vision Plan is led by Clackamas County, with guidance from the Sunrise Community Coalition Leadership Group and support from a broader network of community members known as the Sunrise Community Coalition. Community members are invited to participate as projects move forward.
“These investments are about delivering on what the community asked for,” said Adam Torres, Sunrise Community Coalition project manager for Clackamas County. “We are connecting students to careers and supporting local businesses in ways that will have long-term impact.”
The projects are funded through Oregon Legislature’s HB 5006, enacted in 2021.